“I think he needs to get back up on the same horse that threw him. Agent Trask is a man, and he needs to do something to regain his pride. He needs to earn it back.”

Dr. Tisdale was right; she didn’t like it. Every instinct urged her to protect Nathaniel, not throw him back to the wolves.

But the doctor was correct. Nathaniel was a man of extraordinary diligence and aptitude. He needed to use those God-given tools to do something to redeem himself. The face-saving job in the basement wasn’t likely to make him feel like a hero. He needed to solve a crime or rescue a damsel in distress—do something to shake him out of his lethargy. He needed his soul called back into service, but she didn’t know how to do it.

Caroline met the White House butler in the dining room to review arrangements for that evening’s dinner for the governors. “Let’s use the Wedgwood china and the ordinary silverware,” she suggested. “Nothing too fancy yet.”

“Yes, ma’am,” the butler said. “And do you have a recommendation for the floral decorations?”

“No more red carnations. It’s time to welcome a new administration, so let’s have simple arrangements of roses with greenery.” Out with the old and in with the new.

A crash sounded from outside, and a glance out the window showed one of the Roosevelt boys wading in a fountain, kicking water at his siblings. Caroline sighed. Ida was heavily medicated and unlikely to hear anything, but it would be better if the children weren’t so noisy.

“Let’s head downstairs to discuss the wine list,” she said.

Before they got far, a tall, strong-jawed woman intercepted Caroline in the staff hallway. She wore plain but flawless attire and carried a notebook propped in her arm.

“Miss Delacroix?” the woman asked.

“Yes. Can I help you?”

The woman offered her hand with a sad smile. “I am Isabella Hagner. Mrs. Roosevelt’s secretary.”

“Oh.” It felt like a punch in the chest. How intensely awkward. “My goodness. Well! What a surprise.”

Out with the old and in with the new. It applied to her now.

Caroline took a fortifying breath and returned Miss Hagner’s handshake. “Allow me to introduce you to James Macklin, the head butler. You will find him to be a godsend in your work here.”

The two exchanged nods of greeting, then Mr. Macklin made a discreet exit. Caroline escorted Miss Hagner to the crowded office she would need to vacate. Both Roosevelts would be bringing their own secretaries, which meant George would be out of a job soon too.

“Hopefully you will have a more spacious office once the west wing addition is complete.”

“I appreciate everything you’ve done to steer the commemorations over the past weeks,” Miss Hagner said. “No one envied you that task, and it has all been beautifully tasteful.”