Book Title: Annie’s Secret
Series: The Hartford Manor Series
Author Name: Marcia Clayton
Publication Date: 18 October 2025
Publisher: Sunhillow Publishing
Pages: 304
Genre: Historical Fiction, Victorian, Family Saga, Historical Romance
Any Triggers: No
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Book Title and Author Name:
Annie’s Secret
by Marcia Clayton
Blurb:
1887, North Devon, England
When Lady Eleanor Fellwood gave birth to a badly deformed baby, she insisted that the child be adopted as far away as possible. However, that proved difficult to accomplish, and so, in return for payment, Sabina Carter, an impoverished widow living locally, agreed to raise the little boy as a foundling. The child’s father, Lord Charles Fellwood of Hartford Manor, warned Sabina that the matter must be treated in the strictest confidence or her family would be evicted from their home. As far as Lady Eleanor was concerned, the child was being cared for miles away.
All was well for several years until fate took a hand and, against his parents’ wishes, Robert Fellwood, the heir to the Hartford Estate, married Sabina’s daughter, Annie. Robert arranged for his mother-in-law, Sabina, and her family to reside in the Lodge House, situated at the end of the Manor House driveway. A house that Lady Eleanor passed regularly, and it was not long before she spotted Danny’s dark curls among the Carter redheads. As she looked into the child’s eyes and noted his disabilities, she recognised her son.
Now, at seven years old, Danny has had numerous operations to correct his disabilities and is a happy, healthy child. However, his presence is a source of constant anguish for his birth mother as, day after day, she watches him play in the garden. Her husband, Charles, and son, Robert, are aghast when she announces that she wants him back! An impossible situation for all concerned, and a rift develops between Robert and Annie as he struggles to find a solution to suit everyone.
Over the years, Lady Eleanor has steadfastly refused to acknowledge her daughter-in-law, for she disapproves of Annie’s lower-class origins. When a freak accident forces the two women to spend time together, they inevitably find themselves drawn into conversation, and before long, the years of pent-up resentment and family secrets surface as home truths are aired.
Will the two women be rescued from their precarious situation unscathed? And, if so, will the family survive the scandal that is about to be unleashed?
Excerpt One
Betsey
A week or so later, on a Sunday morning, Adam crawled out of bed earlier than usual and told Barney to get his coat on.
“Why, Dad, where are we going?”
“It’s time you went out to work, lad. We need the money, and you’ve had more than enough schooling. I’m told the miller’s looking for a boy, so we’ll see if he’ll take you on.”
“Oh, Adam, could we not leave it just a little longer? Mr Billery says Barney’s doing well at school, and I’d like him to stay as long as possible. I’m sure it will help him get a better job in the long run. Perhaps I could take in more washing to earn a bit more money.”
“No, he’s ten years old, and it’s high time he earned his keep. Anyway, from what I can see, you can’t cope with the washing you do now, and I never see any money from it. Come on, lad, get a move on, or someone else will get there before us.” He fixed his wife with a firm stare, and seeing her husband was determined, Ellen dared not say more.
Betsey was dismayed but knew better than to voice her opinions. When her dad was drunk and violent, Barney was often her only protector, and she was distraught to think he would no longer be there.
Saying no more, Barney got his coat on and hugged his mother, Betsey, and Norman. He held on to his little sister the longest.
“If I get the job, I’ll come back to see you on my day off, Betsey, but you know where the mill is, don’t you, so if you need me, you know where to come.” He looked at her knowingly, to see if she understood.
Holding back her tears, she nodded and returned his embrace.
Adam was pleased when he and Barney seemed to have arrived at just the right time at the mill. Jasper was looking hot and bothered as he loaded the sacks of flour onto the cart, and he stopped and wiped his brow as he saw the boy and his father approaching. Adam had known the miller all his life.
“Hello, Jasper, I hear you’re looking for a lad. Would you consider young Barney here? He’s strong and intelligent; you’d get a decent day’s work out of him.”
“Aye, I am, Adam, he’s a bit skinny, though. I shouldn’t think he’s got a lot of strength.”
“Well, times are hard, you know, Jasper, but with a bit more food, he’ll soon fill out. He’s strong and wiry, and he knows he’ll feel the buckle end of my belt if he doesn’t come up to scratch.”
The miller surveyed the young boy.
“What do you think, lad; do you want to come and work for me?”
“Aye, sir, if my dad says I have to, then I promise I’ll work hard.”
“All right then, see if you can hoist that half sack of flour onto the cart, and then take the horse and cart around the yard.”
Ignoring the sack of flour, Barney went first to the horse, stroked the old mare’s nose, and spoke kindly to her. He then lifted the sack and, with considerable difficulty, managed to get it onto the cart. Saying nothing, he calmly patted the horse again and climbed onto the cart. He clicked his tongue and told the horse to move on, taking the cart carefully around the yard.
Though Barney did not know it, his father was both surprised and impressed, standing with a wide smile on his face as he admired his son’s actions.
“There, what do you think of that, Jasper? The boy’s a natural with the old horse; you can see he’d be an asset to any business.”
The miller took off his cap and scratched his slightly balding head. “Aye, I must confess he made a fine job of that. All right then, lad, I’ll give you a month’s trial. You can sleep in the loft above the barn, and come into the house for your meals. I can’t afford to pay him much, mind.”
“Aw, come on, man, we all know you’re one of the richest men in the village; don’t be mean.”
However, the miller stood his ground, but eventually, the two men agreed on a wage that Adam insisted would be paid directly to him. He ruffled his son’s hair and wished him luck as he walked home whistling, pleased with his morning’s work.
As Barney watched his father amble off, he felt sad, not for himself, but for his family, whom he knew would miss him, particularly Betsey. His mother, too, would miss his help in chopping firewood and doing all the jobs around the house that his father should have taken care of, but never did. He was startled out of his thoughts by the miller.
“Come on then, lad, there’s work to be done. No use standing there daydreaming. ‘Twill be no holiday living here, but if you give me a good day’s work, I’ll see to it that you have a full belly, and it looks like that doesn’t happen often.”
“Thanks, Mr Morris; I promise I’ll work hard.”
Buy Links:
The Hartford Manor Series Links:
Prequel – Betsey http://mybook.to/Betsey
Book 1 -The Mazzard Tree http://mybook.to/TheMazzardTree
Book 2 – The Angel Maker http://mybook.to/TheAngelMaker
Book 3 – The Rabbit’s Foot http://mybook.to/TheRabbitsFoot
Book 4 – Millie’s Escape https://mybook.to/MilliesEscape
Book 5 – A Woman Scorned https://mybook.to/AWomanScorned
Book 6 – Annie’s Secret https://mybook.to/AnniesSecret
All books in The Hartford Manor Series are available to read on #KindleUnlimited, and print copies can be ordered from any bookshop.
Author Bio:
Marcia Clayton writes historical fiction with a sprinkling of romance and mystery in a heartwarming family saga that spans the Regency period through Victorian times.
As a child, Marcia often had to amuse herself as her siblings were several years older than her, and her arrival was something of a shock to her middle-aged parents. Her favourite pastimes were writing stories and reading, and she adored the Enid Blyton books, particularly The Famous Five and The Adventure Series. These books established her love of literature, which has remained with her to this day.
A farmer’s daughter, Marcia, was born in North Devon and is proud to be a Devon Maid. Over the years, she has been employed in various occupations, primarily to work around raising her three sons, Stuart, Paul, and David. She has worked in banking and nursing and, for many years, was the School Transport Manager for the local authority. Now retired, Marcia spends a lot of her time writing historical fiction but also enjoys gardening, researching her family history, and walking in the lovely Devon countryside with Bryan, her husband of fifty-three years.
Marcia has written seven books in the historical family saga, The Hartford Manor Series. You can also read her free short story, Amelia, a spin-off tale from the first book, The Mazzard Tree. Amelia, a little orphan girl of 4, is abandoned in Victorian London with her brothers, Joseph and Matthew. To find out what happens to her, download the story here: https://marciaclayton.co.uk/amelia-free-download/
In addition to writing books, Marcia writes blogs about a variety of subjects and a monthly newsletter, which she shares with her readers. If you would like to join Marcia’s mailing list, please subscribe to her website, The Devon Maid Book Corner: https://marciaclayton.co.uk/
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When Angels Fly 