Suddenly and unexpectedly, there was the sound of the bolt being raised on the door, and Carmela Lyndon sat up, alert and half-fearful that it might be Matthews or Lane returning. Then as the sunlight flooded in she saw the outline of a man, large and broad-shouldered, silhouetted against the trees outside, and she gave a cry of joy.

Then the Earl of Galeston was beside her, pulling her into his arms.

She held on to him, saying incoherently, her words falling over one another: "You have... found... me! I... prayed that... you would... come! I was... so afraid... that I would... die before... you did."

" I have found you," the Earl said.

Then as tears of relief ran down Carmela's cheeks, his lips came down on hers and he held her mouth captive....