Millicent

By Daryn Cross

As a child, she was abused by her father and she swore she’d never trust a man again. As a young woman, she wished for a happily-ever-after relationship like those she read about in her books. As a wife, she was scorned by a man who didn’t love her. Now she is a woman bent on control of everything and everyone. When did her search for security turn into a desire for power that can never be sated? Millicent!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Daryn Cross
• Release date: Mar 19, 2011
• ISBN: 9781452403939

Daryn Cross

A native Virginian, Bobbye Terry now resides in the cotton fields of West Texas with a Chocolate Lab that has a sock fetish. Bobbye is a multi-published author of romantic comedy, fantasy and suspense. Now, writing solo, except for a possible collaboration on special projects, she continues to write with extensive humor, even in suspense, where southern charm meets macabre reality.

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Millicent

Published by Daryn Cross at Smashwords

Copyright 2010 Bobbye Terry

Published by Daryn Cross at Smashwords

Copyright © 2011 by Bobbye Terry

Cover Design by Dara England

All rights reserved.

Ebooks/Books are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.

All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission by Bobbye Terry, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatever to anyone bearing the same name or names. These characters are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.

Acknowledgements

I would like to give abundant thanks to my family: Tracy, my sister; Betty, my mother-in-law; Reed and Martha, my brother and sister-in-law and Shelley, my stepdaughter, in being the life support I needed during this time of grief following the death of my husband. I cannot say how important all my writer friends have also been to me, sending me e-mails, cards and flowers to ease my pain. My greatest appreciation for the book itself goes to Caroline Clemmons who beta read it for me. You are a true friend.

My writing has been a Godsend, and I only hope the readers out there will embrace this work, a prequel to my upcoming series, and then take the leap from this historical to cyberpunk science fiction.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Frozen Assets

Chapter One

1875, Millwood, New York

Millicent you better get your little fanny here now, or so help me, I’ll beat you until you can’t see. Stop hiding, girl, just because your brother got a beating. It won’t save you. I have a belt and you’ll have stripes across your back.

Mil hid under the house in the small milk room that few entered this time of day. She trembled as she clutched her baby doll. Francine, I will never beat you, honey. I swear, not one mark will ever be on you. I’ll protect you like Mama can’t.

She heard her mother arguing with her father above her. The slaps resounded across her space. A dull thud hit the floor. She scrunched up her eyes, trying to think of something else. Something happy like Mama had taught her. Think summer and the lake is there, not cold but warm and inviting. We’re taking a boat ride, Mil. Don’t you see the birds in the air?

I think David’s okay, Fran, she told the doll. He was just lying there to keep Daddy from hitting him again. She wept, holding her doll in her hands.

Jason, so help me God. You touch me one more time and I’ll…

Millicent cried some more into Fran’s crinoline. Mama was being strong. Mama was holding her own.

Whack!

She shook.

Whack, whack!

Millicent, clutched the doll in her balled up fists. She’ll be okay. Just like David. It’ll be all right. You’ll see.

Where did you get that Marilyn? Don’t point that at me. You don’t think I was serious? I was just trying to make you understand…

The gun went off. Three times.

Millicent held her hands