Broken Wing by Judith James Read Free Book Online

distant as his smile. “It was terribly rude and unappreciative of me. He punished me, of course. He caned my hands until they were so swollen I thought I would never play again. He knew how much it meant to me. I think he wanted to break my fingers,” he added lightly, “but he was too afraid of what Madame would charge him for that. She had use for my hands, even if he no longer did.” He picked up the tempo, a sprightly melody now. “He beat me, of course, whipped my ass until it was bleeding and raw, and then he passed me to his friends before sending me … home … where Madame taught me to please ladies as well as gentlemen.”
    His voice, throughout the recitation, remained deceptively soft and cool, dripping with practiced seduction, but his eyes were bleak. It chilled her. She gasped, horrified, trying not to imagine that lonely, desperate youth, and trying not to imagine the fate that had been stalking Jamie, if not for this man. The notes continued, plaintive, heartrending, and then trickled to a stop. She had no words for him. Sorry she’d asked. Sorry she’d opened old wounds.
    He glanced up at her as he took a swallow of brandy. “Do I make you uncomfortable, mignonne?” he whispered into the silence.
    “Yes! Very!”
    “Ah, you are shocked, yes? You must learn to be careful what you ask for,
chère.”
He returned to playing, a gentle, pensive tune.
    “You never stopped playing, though,” she observed. He shrugged. “There were instruments to play at Madame’s. It afforded some small amusement.”
    “What of …?”
    “I am very tired, Lady Munroe.”
    “Sarah, please.”
    He hesitated. “Sarah, I am sorry if I disturbed your slumber. Forgive me if I go seek mine.” He rose, hooking the brandy bottle between his fingers, preparing to leave.
    “No,” she blurted. “I disturbed
you
. I apologize. Please don’t stop on my account.” Moving to the door, she turned to look back. He might have been an angel, cold, remote, unearthly in his beauty.
    When he was certain she was gone, he bent his head over the keyboard again. She could still hear the lovely, lonely notes as they hung in the air, haunting her as she ascended to her room.

C HAPTER
5
    The next morning broke crisp and clear, the cooler winds of autumn nascent on the late summer breeze. Gabriel approached the breakfast room, uncomfortable and angry with himself. He had meant to shock her, punish her for the intrusion, and warn her away. Instead, he’d stripped himself bare in front of her. He knew she must be disgusted. Taking a deep breath, he pushed open the door.
    “You look well this morning,” she said. Her eyes were warm and welcoming.
    Surprised, he couldn’t suppress the slight smile that raised the corner of his mouth.
    Sarah cleared her throat. His smiles, rare as they were, left her feeling lightheaded and short of breath. “I did wish to apologize for interrupting you last evening, Gabriel. I should have knocked, but it was so beautiful I … well, I …” Flustered, she shook out her paper and raised it in front of her face. After amoment, she inquired politely from behind it, “Would you care for a section?”
    “No, thank you.” The room was so quiet that the clock on the sideboard could be heard ticking away, imperious and demanding. “Do you play an instrument, Sarah?”
    Putting down the paper, she rewarded him with a stunning smile. “Yes, I love to play. My mother was part Gypsy, you know. She was a virtuoso on the violin, and my father loved to play, as well. I make no claim to great skill, but I vow I’m not lacking in enthusiasm. Perhaps you’d allow me to join you sometime. Ross is too busy, more often than not, and I so enjoy playing with someone else.”
    He nodded, unwilling to play the churl, and made a bit more effort than usual at conversation, awkwardly commenting on the weather and recounting one of his and Jamie’s adventures, much to her delight.
    He escaped to the beach as soon as he