“Yes, it was added over ten years ago. I remember in particular because my father was involved in passing the Enabling Act, which established a procedure for creating new states. I must have been about fourteen, then. Old enough to recall the celebrations, including a parade and a special dinner at my house for members of Congress. I was allowed to join them for the dessert course.”

He picked up the plate. “Speaking of dessert, would you care for a tart?”

She accepted one of the small pastries and smiled her thanks. While her attention was focused downward at the page, he took the opportunity to study her classic profile. She had long dark lashes, tipped in gold by the firelight. He ached to know if her cheek felt as petal soft as it looked. How he would enjoy kissing her, nuzzling her throat, opening her robe and …

To distract himself, he wolfed down a tart. The cinnamon apples and flaky crust melted on his tongue, but he’d have traded it in an instant for a taste of her bare skin.

While studying the map, Natalie nibbled on her own tart. “Look,” she said, her fingertip touching the page. “Here’s Philadelphia, where I was born. It’s also where I first met Audrey, when she and Jeremy came to raise the funds to build their mission.” Her finger trailed lower. “And here’s our capital, Washington, where I spent quite a lot of time, too.”

“Your father was a senator.”

“Yes, my mother had died at my birth, so Papa asked me to be his hostess when I turned sixteen. It was both an honor and a challenge to plan parties for the president and foreign dignitaries. I learned the importance of being organized, and how to deal with crises like unexpected guests or fallen soufflés.”

The vivacity that lit up her face charmed Hadrian as much as the diversity of her experiences intrigued him. “So, before your time in the wilderness, you were accustomed to being at the center of American society.”

“Yes, due to Papa’s position.” A wistful note entered her tone. “I do miss him very much. He was a fine man, kind and generous to a fault, along with being a great orator. And he wasn’t just an empty talker like some politicians, he was genuinely devoted to helping people. If you were caught in a snowstorm, he would give you the coat off his back, even if it meant he himself would freeze.”

“A true gentleman, then. May I ask what happened to him?”

“He was struck down by a heart spasm two years ago. He’d only just retired from Congress, intending to spend more time on our horse farm.” She cast a somber look toward the fire. “We were planning to go for an early ride that morning. But when he didn’t come down for breakfast, I went upstairs and found him, still lying in bed. He looked … so peaceful…”

When her voice faltered, Hadrian placed his hand over hers. He himself scarcely remembered his own sire. How much harder it must have been for Natalie since she’d been close to her father into adulthood. “I’m sorry. Perhaps there’s a certain solace to be had in knowing he didn’t suffer.”