She gasped in astonishment. “Oh, George!” She impulsively rushed into his arms for a hearty embrace. “No one deserves it more than you.” Her voice choked up, and tears clouded her vision. Her emotions had been careening wildly ever since Buffalo, but this was such good news. George had always been a rock for her, and the new president couldn’t have chosen a better man.

She disentangled herself, tamped down the swell of emotion, and chatted for a few minutes about his new position, but George had a full schedule.

“I need to consult with Treasury about financing the new department. I can only hope it doesn’t ruffle too many feathers.”

“It surely will, but no one in the city can handle ruffled feathers as well as you,” she said honestly.

Memories crowded as she watched him walk away. They had been living in a gilded age but hadn’t realized it until it was over. Now they were both headed toward a new and uncertain future, but she would be forever grateful for those eighteen months in the White House. She was a better person for it. She had entered the White House as a girl who loved to throw parties, but she’d left as a woman. Wiser, sadder, but more confident of her true value in the world. Her heart was full to the breaking point, for echoes of that gilded age would live with her forever.

The bittersweet memories still swirled as she returned home, and she was surprised to see Luke sitting with Nathaniel and Wilkie in the parlor. All three men were huddled around the table, papers spread out before them, expressions earnest.

“Where have you been?” Nathaniel asked as he got to his feet.

“Shopping,” she replied archly. “Where else would I be on a Monday afternoon?”

“Come sit down,” he said. “We need your help.”

A flush stained the top of his cheekbones, and his eyes were alive with anticipation. This was the man she loved, always so engaged with keen, professional absorption. She sat, wishing she could inspire a similar level of devotion.

“Captain Holland has funneled his ill-gotten gains into the Fosters’ bank,” Nathaniel explained. “We don’t think the Fosters are part of the scheme, but we need to start investigating without triggering anyone’s suspicion. We need you to call on Mrs. Foster. Get inside her house, break the ice, and see if you can recruit her to our side.”

“You want me to cozy up to Emmaline Foster?” she asked in disbelief. “That woman made snide comments to me all the way from Virginia to Louisiana. She barely tolerated me when I was Ida’s secretary, but now she has no use for me at all.”

“She will if it means saving face for her husband’s bank,” Nathaniel said. “This has the makings of an ugly scandal, and the Fosters will need to salvage their reputations.”