Today, I am delighted to host Marcia Clayton to celebrate the publication of Annie’s Secret, part of The Hartford Manor Series. Marcia has kindly provided an excerpt for you to enjoy (see below).
You can follow the full tour here:
https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2025/10/blog-tour-annies-secret-by-marcia-clayton.html
Annie’s Secret by Marcia Clayton
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?
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.
Annie’s Secret: Excerpt
Betsey gently pushed back the thin blanket, swung her feet over the side of the bed, and reached for her soft leather slippers, a Christmas present from Annie that she treasured. She tiptoed from the room, determined not to wake Ned if she could help it, for it was early and she had heard the church clock strike six. Closing the door quietly behind her, she descended the stairs and went to the kitchen, where she pulled the kettle forward onto the stove, for her first job was always to make a cup of tea.
She glanced out of the kitchen window and saw that it would be another sunny day. Her view was that of the churchyard, an outlook she was happy with, for after all, two of her sons, a few grandchildren, and many of her friends were buried there, and she often went to chat with them. It was a habit some might find ridiculous, but it gave her comfort, and at her age, she cared little for what folk thought. Even now, in her seventies, the old woman found it impossible to lie in bed after so many years of getting up with the lark. When she and Ned had owned The Red Lion Inn, an early start was a necessity, and she still thought this was the best time of day.
Whilst the water in the kettle came to the boil, she opened the back door and wandered around the garden, which was so much smaller than the one at the inn. It was big enough for her and Ned now, and she still liked to potter about and tend to her plants, though thankfully, Arthur Webber, her daughter-in-law, Sabina’s second husband, did all the hard work.
She sniffed the fragrant, deep pink Damask rose, her pride and joy, and this year, a profusion of blooms. The lavender bushes that were planted alongside the garden path released their heady perfume as she brushed against them, and she inhaled appreciatively. Pausing to admire the tall, stately spires of the pink, yellow and red hollyhocks planted against the wall, she picked off one or two deadheads and noted that a few late-flowering foxgloves would soon need cutting back.
Interspersed at random with the marigolds, pinks, and larkspur were many vegetables, and Betsey wanted to see what was ready to harvest for their dinner. Her favourites, the runner beans, had reached the top of their long sticks, and in an hour or two, the scarlet flowers would be swarming with bees. She gathered some of the tender beans and put them into her basket, then pulled a few carrots from the old soil-filled water barrel where Ned planted them to deter the pesky carrot fly. She remembered that Arthur had dug some new potatoes for her the day before, and knew there were plenty left to accompany the leg of lamb that she planned to roast.
Thinking she had picked enough, she noticed that their second row of peas was ready, and unable to resist, gathered enough for a meal and sampled several, thinking that they were far better raw. Ready now for her first cup of tea, she strolled back to the kitchen, picking some fresh mint and rosemary on her way and noting the redcurrants and blackcurrants also needed picking and thinking that Ned could sit on a stool later and do that for her; her part would be to make a crumble and some jam.
By the time she reached the kitchen, the kettle was boiling, and she brewed a pot of tea and carried a cup upstairs to Ned, for she knew he would be awake by now, and this was their routine. She liked him to take it easy in the mornings and not rush things. She opened the door quietly, in case he was still asleep, but he smiled at her and pulled himself up. She plumped up the pillows behind him, kissed him, and wished him a good morning.
“Good morning to you, too, my love. Up with the lark as usual, I see; thanks for the tea.”
“Yes, it’s a lovely morning, and far too nice to lie in bed. I’ve picked peas, beans, and carrots for dinner, so they will be delicious later with our roast lamb and mint sauce.”
“Mm, my favourite, especially with new potatoes. Do you have anything planned for today?”
“I’ve arranged to visit Mary Ann this afternoon because she wants to talk about the christening on Sunday. It’s about time, for the child is nearly eighteen months old, but with losing George, I can understand why the baptism has been delayed.”
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/
Author Links:
Website: https://marciaclayton.co.uk/
Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/MarciaC89111861
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marciaclaytonauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marciaclayton97/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/marciaclayton.bsky.social
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/marcia-clayton
Amazon Author Page: http://viewauthor.at/MarciaClayton
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20429025.Marcia_Clayton
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