Annie’s Secret
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?
Praise for Annie's Secret:
“I loved this latest book in the Hartford Manor saga. The characters are well crafted, and their interactions are all in character and believable. I enjoyed the way that all the threads from previous books were skillfully interwoven throughout this book. It is an awesome story and immensely captivating.
Marcia is Devon's answer to Catherine Cookson.”
~ Snowdrop1941, Amazon 5* Review
“Marcia Clayton has written another wonderful story to add to the ever-growing Hartford Manor Series. I enjoyed it greatly and can highly recommend it.”
~ Miss G, Amazon 5* Review
“This is another beautifully written and expertly crafted story. I admire the research done especially around the history of Queen Victoria’s jubilee. Like the other books in the series this is clean, easy reading but with many plot threads that will keep you invested through out and it looks promising that there will be a seventh book. ”
~ S.A. Griffiths, Amazon 5* Review
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