Book Title: Millie’s Escape
Series: The Hartford Manor Series
Author: Marcia Clayton
Publication Date: 2 November 2023
Publisher: Sunhillow Publishing
Page Length: 348
Genre: Historical Fiction/Family Saga/Women’s Literary Fiction
1885 North Devon, England
It is winter in the small Devon village of Brampford Speke, and a typhoid epidemic has claimed many victims. Millie, aged fifteen, is doing her best to nurse her mother and grandmother as well as look after Jonathan, her five-year-old brother. One morning, Millie is horrified to find that her mother, Rosemary, has passed away during the night and is terrified the same fate may befall her granny, Emily.
When Emily’s neighbours inform her that Sir Edgar Grantley has also perished from the deadly disease, the old woman is distraught, for the kindly gentleman has been their benefactor for many years, much to the disgust of his wife, Lilliana. Emily is well aware that Sir Edgar’s generosity has long been a bone of contention between him and his spouse, and she is certain Lady Grantley will evict them from their cottage at the first opportunity.
As she racks her brain for a solution, Emily remembers her father came from Hartford, a seaside village in North Devon and had relatives there. Desperate and too weak to travel, she insists Millie and Jonathan leave home and make their way to Hartford before the embittered woman can cause trouble for them. There, she tells them, they must throw themselves on the mercy of their family and hope they will offer them a home.
With Emily promising to follow as soon as possible, the two youngsters reluctantly set off on their fifty-mile journey on foot and in the harshest of weather conditions. Emily warns them to be cautious, for she suspects Lady Grantley may well pursue them to seek revenge for a situation that has existed between the two families for many years.
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Millie's Escape by Marcia Clayton
All the books in The Hartford Manor Series can be ordered from any bookshop.
Marcia Clayton is the author of five books in The Hartford Manor Series, a heart-warming family saga stretching from the Regency period to Victorian times. A sixth book is to be released in 2024.
Marcia was born in North Devon, a rural and picturesque area in the far South West of England. When she left school, Marcia worked in a bank for several years until she married her husband, Bryan, and then stayed at home for a few years to care for her three sons, Stuart, Paul and David. As the children grew older, Marcia worked as a Marie Curie nurse caring for the terminally ill and later for the local authority managing school transport.
Now a grandmother, Marcia enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She’s a keen researcher of family history, and this hobby inspired some of the characters in her books. A keen gardener, Marcia grows many of her own vegetables. She is also an avid reader and enjoys historical fiction, romance, and crime books.
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One morning, Millie sent the children out to play, intending to clean the kitchen thoroughly. Jonnie had a bad cold, so she let him stay inside with her, and the pair were enjoying a few rare moments alone. Millie was scrubbing the floor when the front door opened, and Liz staggered in, very drunk despite the early hour. Behind her was a plump man with a ruddy complexion, and his eyes gleamed when he surveyed Millie’s shapely bottom as she worked hard on her hands and knees.
“Why, Liz, you didn’t tell me you had a new maid here, and, no disrespect, love, but I think I might like to explore pastures new, if you know what I mean. What’s your name, my lovely?”
“No, Ted; yer wasting yer time, there, mate. ‘er’s no prossie, ‘er’s just our cleaner and far too ‘igh and mighty for the likes of ye. Ye’ll ‘ave to make do wi’ me, though I’m not sure I’m willin’ now if yer so picky. I’ve always been good enough for ‘ee before.”
Millie was embarrassed as the man’s eyes explored every inch of her body, and he held out his hand to help her up.
“No need to be frightened of me, my love, and if ‘tis your first time, why that’s even better, and I’ll be kind. I know my manners, and I can be a gentleman when I want to be. Whatever this lot is paying you to clean, I’ll pay you far more to spend an hour or two with me. What do you say?”
“No, thank you. I appreciate the offer, but I’m happy doing the cleaning. My brother and I aren’t staying here long, just a few days, so that I can earn some money.”
#HistoricalFiction #FamilySaga #Victorian #BlogTour #CoffeePotBookClub
Thank you so much for hosting Marcia Clayton with Millie's Escape today.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Cathie xo
The Coffee Pot Book Club
You are welcome!
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