Page 6 of The Senator's Wife

“If you say—” Anne’s words were interrupted by the invitation for everyone to adjourn to the East Room for after-dinner dancing.

Sloane picked up her handbag from the table. “Well, my dear. Another beautiful and successful state dinner. It was a wonderful evening.”

The two women talked a few more minutes while some of the other stragglers stood by the empty dining tables, still conversing.

“I’m away all of next week, but I’ll call you when I get back. Let’s have lunch together,” the first lady said.

“I’d love that. You be safe on your travels.” Sloane scanned the room for Whit, but he was nowhere in sight. “Hmm. Whit seems to have disappeared.”

“Must be waiting for you out front. I’ll walk with you.”

Together they walked along the Cross Hall, but there was no sign of Whit.

“Perhaps he’s waiting for you in the East Room,” Anne said, leading the way to the music and dancing.

They stood at the entrance, searching the room, and simultaneously spotted him.

Anne cleared her throat. “There he is. Talking to Madelyn Sawyer.”

Sloane could feel the veins in her neck throbbing as she watched them deep in conversation, their heads tilted toward each other. An image of Robert, unbidden, filled her mind, and she found herself comparing him to Whit. She’d never once doubted Robert or felt unsettled while seeing him talk to another woman across the room. Had she, as she knew some believed, moved on too soon? After afew minutes, Whit looked up and his eyes locked with Sloane’s. He made haste coming toward her.

“Good night, dear,” Anne whispered as she walked away.

Sloane stood waiting while Whit hurried over. Before she could utter a word, Madelyn appeared beside them.

“Leaving so soon, Sloane? My goodness, such bad form to leave early. But I suppose when one is sickly, you can’t really blame them.”

“Madelyn…” Whit began

Sloane put a hand up to silence him. “Thank you for your concern about my health, but the reason Whit and I are leaving is because we’re still on our honeymoon. You remember what it was like when you first got married, don’t you? How much in love you were? Whit and I want to be alone to enjoy each other. Good night, Madelyn. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

Sloane took Whit’s arm and left her standing there. For once, Madelyn seemed to have nothing to say. The woman couldn’t be trusted; that much was sure. Sloane’s faith in her husband was rock solid, and that was all that mattered. Madelyn, however, was a different story.

- 4 -

ATHENA

Athena was ready for a new job. She drank from her coffee cup as she read over the information Clint had sent her earlier that morning, circling a few lines here and there. Taking a final sip, she stood and put the cup in the dishwasher, then grabbed a sponge and wiped the counter again. She surveyed the kitchen and adjoining living room, satisfied that everything was in its place. She’d always taken great pride in keeping her surroundings immaculate. Athena’s Adams Morgan loft in a modern DC midrise with rooftop garden, fitness center, and parking garage had been a real find in an area where two-bedroom condos were selling for a lot more than she could afford. The only time her 765 square feet of space seemed small was when Clint—all six foot four of him—was there. He always joked about her miniature rooms and furnishings, his dark brown eyes crinkling in mirth. She never suggested they meet at his place, because, of course, that was out of the question.

At precisely ten o’clock, there was a knock at the door. Clint. Always on time.

She opened it, and he entered without a greeting. He didn’t bother taking off his leather jacket and sat at the island, then raised his eyebrows. “Did they call?”

She nodded. “First thing this morning. I have an interview with the senator next week.”

“You’ve gone over everything, all the job requirements? They’re looking for admin help with the wife’s charity as well as the home healthcare bit.”

“I know. I’m prepared.”

“Good. Make sure you impress upon him that you can handle the other aspects of the job.”

“I plan to spend the rest of the day on donor management software tutorials. They’ll never know I haven’t worked for a charity before.”

- 5 -

WHIT

The Russell Senate Office Building was exactly 4.2 miles from Whit and Sloane’s Georgetown home, and yet it was a twenty-four-minute drive in the best of conditions. But he didn’t mind the commute and wouldn’t trade living in the Chase mansion, even if he had to crawl on all fours to the office. He’d always admired the graceful dwelling, imagining what it must be like to live there. Now that he was married to Robert’s widow, he no longer needed to imagine.

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