Hartford Manor Series by Marcia Clayton

It is mid-Winter in 1880 and life is harsh in the remote Devon countryside. When Annie Carter's father Tom dies of consumption her mother Sabina is left with seven mouths to feed and the family soon face the workhouse. To save them from starvation Annie steals vegetables from the Manor House garden, risking jail or transportation. She is watched by Robert, the son and heir of the Lord of Hartford Manor, but far from turning her in he befriends her... moreIt is mid-Winter in 1880 and life is harsh in the remote Devon countryside. When Annie Carter's father Tom dies of consumption her mother Sabina is left with seven mouths to feed and the family soon face the workhouse. To save them from starvation Annie steals vegetables from the Manor House garden, risking jail or transportation. She is watched by Robert, the son and heir of the Lord of Hartford Manor, but far from turning her in he befriends her.Annie introduces Robert to a very different world to the one he knows and he is fascinated by the life she leads. Difficult though it is, they begin to spend time together and soon develop feelings they know have no future.Harry Rudd, the village blacksmith, has long admired Annie and when he proposes, her mother urges her to accept. She reminds Annie that she will never be allowed to marry Robert. Harry is a good man and Annie is fond of him. Her head knows what she should do, but will her heart listen? less

On a spring day in 1884, Fred Carter finds a young woman in labour at the side of the road. He takes her to the local inn where she gives birth to a daughter. Charlotte Mackie is unmarried and takes the child to her aunt’s house to seek help. However, her aunt arranges an adoption behind her back and Charlotte is distraught.Fred’s niece, Annie Rudd, a former kitchen-maid at the Manor House, is recently widowed and struggling to raise her little daughter, Selina... moreOn a spring day in 1884, Fred Carter finds a young woman in labour at the side of the road. He takes her to the local inn where she gives birth to a daughter. Charlotte Mackie is unmarried and takes the child to her aunt’s house to seek help. However, her aunt arranges an adoption behind her back and Charlotte is distraught.Fred’s niece, Annie Rudd, a former kitchen-maid at the Manor House, is recently widowed and struggling to raise her little daughter, Selina. Robert, the son and heir of Lord Fellwood, has been in love with Annie for a long time and would like to marry her, but his family will do anything to prevent the marriage.Annie’s friend Sam lives in a makeshift hut in Buzzacott Woods, a remote part of Exmoor. Now an old man, he has no family and has to fend for himself as best he can. New owners have moved into nearby Buzzacott House. They are rude and unfriendly and the local people become curious. Why is a dangerous dog roaming the grounds? Do they have something to hide? less

It is 1884 and Annie Rudd, a former kitchen-maid at Hartford Manor, is recently widowed and struggling to raise her little daughter. Robert, the son and heir of Lord Fellwood, has been in love with Annie for a long time and would like to marry her, but his family will do anything to prevent the marriage.Annie’s uncle, Fred Carter finds a young woman in labour at the side of the road. He takes her to the local inn where she gives birth to a daughter... moreIt is 1884 and Annie Rudd, a former kitchen-maid at Hartford Manor, is recently widowed and struggling to raise her little daughter. Robert, the son and heir of Lord Fellwood, has been in love with Annie for a long time and would like to marry her, but his family will do anything to prevent the marriage.Annie’s uncle, Fred Carter finds a young woman in labour at the side of the road. He takes her to the local inn where she gives birth to a daughter. Charlotte Mackie is unmarried and takes the child to her aunt’s house to seek help. However, her aunt arranges an adoption behind her back and Charlotte is distraught.Annie’s friend Sam lives in a makeshift hut in Buzzacott Woods, a remote part of Exmoor. Now an old man, he has no family and has to fend for himself as best he can. New owners have moved into nearby Buzzacott House. They are rude and unfriendly and the local people become curious. Why is a dangerous dog roaming the grounds? Do they have something to hide? less

1885 North Devon, EnglandMr Edward Snell was more than a little curious when Robert Fellwood, the heir to Hartford Manor and his elderly aunt, the Lady Margery, begged an audience on a Saturday morning. However, being such valued clients, the solicitor was happy to oblige. As his clerk showed the visitors in, he was intrigued to see them followed by an old man who, though respectably dressed, had something of a vagrant about him... more1885 North Devon, EnglandMr Edward Snell was more than a little curious when Robert Fellwood, the heir to Hartford Manor and his elderly aunt, the Lady Margery, begged an audience on a Saturday morning. However, being such valued clients, the solicitor was happy to oblige. As his clerk showed the visitors in, he was intrigued to see them followed by an old man who, though respectably dressed, had something of a vagrant about him. The crisp suit in which he was attired could not disguise his weather-beaten face or his missing teeth.Robert introduced his Uncle Sam and explained he had come to claim his inheritance. The solicitor was old enough to remember the extensive search for Thomas Fellwood when his father, Ephraim, died in 1840. However, that was some forty-five years ago and the young man had never been found. Yet, here was Sam, who claimed to be Thomas Fellwood’s son and, even more surprising, was the fact that the Fellwood family appeared to have accepted him as such.“The Rabbit’s Foot” is an intriguing and compelling novel with many unexpected twists and turns. Set in the small seaside village of Hartford, it tells the tale of how an old man, who has spent his life with barely a penny to his name, suddenly finds himself rich beyond his wildest dreams. However, there is only one thing that Sam Fellwood truly wants and that is to be reunited with his son, Marrok, whom he abandoned at the age of five. Will Sam find the happiness that has eluded him for so many lonely years? less