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I have been passing through a bit of a Downton Abbey re-binge lately. Downton Abbey is the PBS series that highlights the ups and downs of a uber-wealthy British family in the early 20th century. So, when I received a recent shipment of books and one of them boasted "Downton Abbey fans should flock to this charming tale" on the cover, I knew it was a good omen. Here's the story:
Like many poor immigrants in the late 1800s, Clara Kelley was sent by her poor and starving family to America to secure employment, earn money, and send some of that money back to Ireland to help keep the family afloat. As she disembarks in New York, she is greeted by a stranger waiting for Clara Kelley. He informs her that he is there to take her to her previously arranged employment. Clara knows of no such arrangement, but is desperate for work.
The work is rather amazing... to be a lady's maid for the mother of one of the wealthiest men in America! And so begins the deception. The other Clara Kelley has obviously disappeared and our Clara steps into her place and attempts to pass herself off as a knowledgeable assistant to Mrs. Carnegie. There's romance, intrigue and deception. This book has it all!
The author notes that Andrew Carnegie started out his businesses as a ruthless industrialist, but changed his personal focus and pledged to focus on the education and improvement of the lower classes when he was a wealthy 33 year old bachelor. Benedict then invented this historical tale to provide a possible answer to that gap in the historical record.
Loved this book! Just for fun, watch an "interview" with maids in household like this HERE.
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