All that time she would be imprisoned here in the wooden hut which she supposed had been erected by wood-cutters.
If the Earl did not find her in the meantime she could be a prisoner for days or weeks with no chance of escape. She thought in fact her only chance for freedom would be to bargain with the men threatening her.
She did not pick up the pen, she merely said:
“If I sign this, and you receive the money, will you then come back and set me free?”
Matthews hesitated and she knew his instinct was to say she could rot here for all he cared.
Then a crafty look came into his eyes as he replied:
“Of course, M’Lady! That’d be only fair, wouldn’t it, as you’re being fair to us?”
He was lying, and Carmela knew he had no intention of returning to release her. The moment they had the mon
