Clara Kelley gets off the boat after traveling from Ireland in the 1860s and not sure where she should go next. She is mistaken for another Clara Kelley on the same ship and becomes lady's maid to Mrs. Carnegie, the mother of Andrew Carnegie. Clara's father made sure hs girls went ot school and were educated even though he was just a farmer. She calls on what she has read to get her through this new life and position. Mr. Carnegie allows her to use the library and they often talk about poets. He finds her studying the business news and they talk about what he is doing. She has some ideas too that she eventually shares. This gives him ideas and he opens an account with money for her with the ideas she gave him. They grow to care about each other but she is a maid and not of his class. Then she has her secrets and she has the responsibility of helping her family. Many levels are in play and adds great reading to the story.