“Because the princess has very discriminating tastes. I would take it as a personal embarrassment if she’s fed embalmed beef.”

“Of course, ma’am. And may I state that my company had no part in the embalmed beef controversy during the late war.”

Mrs. McKinley sent him a withering stare. “That’s a low bar, Mr. Magruder.”

Gray could almost feel sorry for Clyde Magruder. He didn’t deserve the attacks coming from Mrs. McKinley, but the journalists were catching every word, and tomorrow’s newspapers would laud the first lady for valiantly standing up for American troops while castigating Magruder Food.

Clyde Magruder’s congressional hopes had just been dealt a body blow.

After the meeting, Annabelle stood beside her parents, watching the aftermath continue in the lobby. Her parents gaped at Mrs. McKinley as she was wheeled out of the conference room, reporters surrounding her to take advantage of her rare public appearance. Caroline dutifully stood beside her, keeping the journalists at a distance but gamely helping Mrs. McKinley field their questions.

The meeting had surpassed Annabelle’s expectations, exposing the Magruders in a fashion that would delight Luke’s mischievous sense of humor. Thanks to Maude, the food company’s practice of cheating people a few pennies at a time had been laid bare. Ida McKinley’s distaste for cheap Magruder imitations had been icing on the cake. While Mrs. McKinley’s tirade appeared impulsive, Annabelle had noticed the subtle interplay between Caroline and the first lady and suspected both women knew exactly what they were doing. Even now Caroline and the first lady seemed to be enjoying themselves while the reporters scrambled for attention.

Not so the Magruders, who made a beeline for the exit, avoiding questions and looking as dark as thunderclouds. They had gotten their military contract, but not without a pummeling to their reputation. Although the fight for legislation for pure food would be waged for years to come, the drumbeat of change had begun. She and Gray had played only a small part in it, but no matter how long she lived, Annabelle would be forever proud of what they’d accomplished.

She gazed at Gray across the crowded lobby as he stood beside Caroline. What a proud, magnificent man he was. She drank in the sight of him, trying to imprint it in her memory, for by this time tomorrow she would be on a train back to Kansas.

“Time to leave if we’re going to meet Elaine for dinner,” her father said, cutting through her thoughts.

“I know.”

Even as she spoke, she met Gray’s eyes across the lobby, and he began angling through the throng of people toward her. She braced herself, not sure how to say good-bye. He seemed ill at ease too.

“The two of you are good soldiers to have in a fight,” he said to her parents, offering both of them a handshake. “Well done, Maude. Roy.”