“The first lady is having one of her fits. She won’t leave her bedroom. In three hours she is supposed to christen the German emperor’s new yacht, and she is refusing to go.”

“Why is the German emperor christening a yacht in Washington, DC?” It was a reasonable question, but it seemed to get under Caroline’s skin.

“Because Kaiser Wilhelm is currying favor,” she said in exasperation. “As England’s navy gets stronger, Germany has been cozying up to the United States in search of an ally. An American shipyard gets a pricey commission, the kaiser gets a new yacht, and both sides were supposed to enjoy fine publicity by having the first lady smash a bottle of champagne on its hull.”

He quirked a brow. So much for Caroline not having a political bone in her body. She had just articulated a crystal-clear assessment of international diplomacy.

“What’s the problem?”

“The president went to Philadelphia on business and neglected to take the first lady with him. Her anxiety goes haywire when he isn’t here, and she won’t cooperate. The kaiser sent his cousin Prince Gustav to be his representative, and if the first lady snubs the christening, it will be a huge embarrassment. I need something to divert attention from her absence.”

“I have no idea how I can help you.”

“Didn’t you tell me you know a blind woman who works at the Library of Congress?”

He frowned, baffled by how this could possibly relate to the kaiser’s yacht. “Elaine Larkin,” he confirmed. “I don’t personally know her. I only know her sister.”

“Perfect,” Caroline said. “Prince Gustav has a sister who is blind. She is here, and the yacht is being named in her honor. Countess Frederica will christen the yacht in place of the first lady, but this is still awkward for me. I can honor her by arranging a special tour of the blind reading room at the Library of Congress. With music and canapés, and the chance to see the special collections of maps and globes for the blind. Can you fetch Miss Larkin to join in the ceremony? I’ll figure out a way to parlay our government’s commitment to supporting the blind to flatter the prince and his family. The christening is at two o’clock at the Washington Navy Yard.”

The breath left him in a rush. “I don’t know Elaine Larkin. I can’t promise you anything.”

“Please? You were always my hero, Gray,” Caroline said in a voice both flattering and sincere, and he hated how susceptible he was to it. She kissed his cheek and scurried from his study in a swirl of blue satin and expensive perfume.

It was annoying that his sister assumed he would drop everything to do her bidding, but he wouldn’t mind seeing Annabelle again. Annabelle was hopelessly patriotic and would probably be dazzled by this sort of thing.