Ida’s voice was imperious. “I think it belongs in a museum, but for now it will go to Ohio.”
Ida was scheduled to depart in two days. Caroline had the niggling fear that Ida expected her to continue her secretarial duties in Ohio, which was unthinkable. She would wilt in Canton, especially knowing that Luke and Nathaniel needed her in Washington. Any hope of a presidential pardon for Luke had vanished, but she still had access to powerful friends in Washington.
Her chest felt heavy as she opened another trunk. The hopeof a presidential pardon was a talisman she’d clung to during the long months of Luke’s imprisonment, but now it was gone forever. Since Luke intended to plead guilty, the best she could hope for was a life sentence to be served somewhere in the continental United States. She would have to draw on all her connections to make it happen, which meant she needed to remain in Washington.
She opened the top bureau drawer to begin packing the accessories. Her heart squeezed as she lifted the crystal-studded hair snood Ida had loaned her the night of the state dinner, when she’d huddled with Nathaniel on the back staircase. She placed the snood on a layer of tissue paper, carefully folding it into place. What a wonderful time these eighteen months in the White House had been. Difficult, challenging, and sometimes painful, but overall a time of gilded memories she would forever cherish.
“Ida McKinley!” Pina gasped as she spotted the hidden trove of cosmetics in Ida’s top drawer. “Have you been using face paint?”
“Nonsense,” Ida retorted. “Those belong to Caroline.”
All eyes in the room turned to Caroline, who would gladly shoulder the blame. “Yes. I purchased every item in that drawer.” It was a true statement, as Caroline had a better eye for selecting the perfect natural shade of cosmetics, but she and Ida both indulged in wearing makeup.
“Then we ought to leave these with her,” Pina said, holding the box of cosmetics away from her body as though handling explosives.
“No, no, Caroline is coming with me,” Ida insisted. “So are the cosmetics. Pack them in the toiletry case.”
Caroline froze, knowing it was time to clarify her intentions. She reached for some handkerchiefs to fold—anything to avoid looking Ida in the face while delivering the painful news.
“Actually, I intend to stay in Washington,” she said. “But you should still take the cosmetics with you. I have my own.”
“What’s this nonsense?” Ida said. “You agreed you would serve through the Major’s second term.” Her iron tone did not bode well, and Caroline chose her words carefully.
“Of course, but that was when we believed it would be in Washington. I have obligations here—”
“What obligations?” Ida demanded. “You were certainly willing to traipse all over the country on the train tour. I need you in Ohio. You have a duty.”
Caroline set the handkerchiefs inside a trunk. “I’ll gladly keep in touch to provide advice to Pina or anyone else who helps with the secretarial duties, but my family is here, and I need to stay.”
Ida banged her cane on the floor. “Your family is with me,” she insisted. “You’re going to Ohio.”
“No, I’m not,” Caroline said, trying to keep her voice calm. “I belong in Washington and can’t leave.”
Ida’s temper snapped. “What kind of ingratitude is this? I have doneeverythingfor you! I treated you like a daughter. I opened doors for you and gave you a world of opportunities.”
The words stung because they were true. Since the day she walked into the White House, Caroline had been showered with experiences beyond her wildest imagination.
“I’m truly sorry—”
“No, you’re not. You’re a selfish and ungrateful brat, and I want you out of here.” Ida pushed on the wheels of her chair to cross the room, where she tugged the rope-pull to summon a servant.
Pina and Ludmila froze, watching in wide-eyed dismay as Ida’s temper spiraled higher. An usher tapped on the door, and Ida commanded him to enter.
“Get the head of security,” she barked. “I want this woman out of my house.” She turned her hurt, furious gaze to Caroline. Her voice began to crack as she yelled in anguish and outrage. “You’re an ungrateful brat! I dideverythingfor you! Do you hear me? Everything! And now in my hour of need—”
“Ida, perhaps you shouldn’t be so hasty,” Pina offered timidly. “Caroline has her own life—”
“Yes, a good life with me. Or at least shehada good one. That’s all over now.”
Sullivan arrived, looking bewildered by this awful turn of events. How humiliating to have him witness this spectacle, but Ida was adamant.
“I want this woman out of my house,” she ordered. “Take her straight downstairs and out the back door. I’ll have a servant collect her belongings, but I can’t stand to look at her a moment longer.”
Caroline picked up her reticule. There would be no convincing Ida to back down, not after such a public declaration. The other women looked frozen, like they’d shatter if they moved a muscle. She hated to abandon them while Ida was in such a fury, but if she tried to mitigate the damage, she’d only stoke Ida’s temper hotter.
She nodded to Pina and Ludmila. “I’m sorry,” she murmured, then risked a glance at Ida. “I’m truly sorry, ma’am.”
Sullivan looked mortified as he escorted her down the hallway, waiting until they were several yards away before speaking. “What was that all about?”
