1823 - The story begins in the grand mansion, Croxton Hall in Dorset and finishes half way across the world.
Fifteen-year old Hannah hankers for new horizons. Disobeying her father, she leaves home to become a kitchen maid at the grand mansion, Croxton Hall.
Francis, the handsome heir to the estate, takes an interest in the pretty maid. Flattered by his attention, Hannah loses her head to love. Believing that Francis will defy conventions and make her his own one day.
Francis's true interest are the beautiful identical twins, the wealthy well-born Cavendish sisters.
Disgraced and broken hearted, Hannah seeks refuge at home but her father refuses to house her and she is homeless.
Destitute and without a character reference, Hannah fears she will be forced into prostitution on Weymouth Quay.
Searching for somewhere to sleep, she discovers Hawks Rise, an abandoned isolated cottage on a bleak peninsula. It is here that she begins to rebuild her life. Sheltered by the companionship of the old sea captain, Seth Armstrong.
When Francis and the Fitzgerald family cross her path some years later, Seth can't shield her, and Hannah finds herself staring at the shadow of the hangman's noose.
The story takes the reader from the glorious Dorset Downs to the dripping walls of a filthy prison and beyond.
Genre: Historical
Fifteen-year old Hannah hankers for new horizons. Disobeying her father, she leaves home to become a kitchen maid at the grand mansion, Croxton Hall.
Francis, the handsome heir to the estate, takes an interest in the pretty maid. Flattered by his attention, Hannah loses her head to love. Believing that Francis will defy conventions and make her his own one day.
Francis's true interest are the beautiful identical twins, the wealthy well-born Cavendish sisters.
Disgraced and broken hearted, Hannah seeks refuge at home but her father refuses to house her and she is homeless.
Destitute and without a character reference, Hannah fears she will be forced into prostitution on Weymouth Quay.
Searching for somewhere to sleep, she discovers Hawks Rise, an abandoned isolated cottage on a bleak peninsula. It is here that she begins to rebuild her life. Sheltered by the companionship of the old sea captain, Seth Armstrong.
When Francis and the Fitzgerald family cross her path some years later, Seth can't shield her, and Hannah finds herself staring at the shadow of the hangman's noose.
The story takes the reader from the glorious Dorset Downs to the dripping walls of a filthy prison and beyond.
Genre: Historical
Used availability for Jean Mead's Hannah