Broken Wing by Judith James Read Free Book Online Page A

was able, trying to make sense of the past twenty-four hours. He had revealed himself to her, at least in part, and she had responded unexpectedly. Shocked, yes, but apparently unchastened, she’d greeted him this morning as if nothing had happened. He’d noticed her interest before. Far more subtle than what he was used to, it was real, nonetheless, and very familiar. She was a widow, after all. She’d likely been without a man a good while. Doubtless, she wanted him the way other women had. That explained why she’d chosento ignore the sordid history he’d shared with her last evening. Relieved at being able to characterize her motives, he determined to keep her at a distance. If he was to make any sort of life for himself, he needed the money Huntington had promised him, and the last thing he needed was any sort of entanglement with the man’s sister.

    After breakfast, Sarah went to the stables and saddled her stallion. He fussed and stamped his feet, and blew out his belly. “Oh stop it,” she snapped, digging a sharp elbow into his side as he tried to press her up against the wall. Grunting, he surrendered, allowing her to tighten the girth and put on the bridle. She mounted, and let him dance and snort for a few moments. He was a male, after all, and that sort of thing seemed important to him. Once that was out of his system, she loosed the reins and leaned forward, urging him into a full gallop.
    She thought about Gabriel. She’d been astonished by his artistry. He played like an angel, with a passion and melancholy genius that no amount of training could instill. He had shocked her last night. She’d had some sense of his background, of course, but she’d never thought about it too deeply, for the same reasonsone refused to pursue most unpleasant thoughts she supposed, because it made her feel uncomfortable.
    Last night, he had made her starkly aware of the evil some men inflict upon the innocent, the evil forced upon him, and the fate that had awaited Jamie. He’d compelled her to acknowledge it, to feel it, and it had made her heart freeze. She imagined how lonely he must feel with all those terrible memories that no one wanted to hear, trapped inside him. Gabriel had talked to her last night, though, and he’d been almost civil to her this morning. She’d been trying to reach him for over three months, ever since they’d brought him and Jamie home in early May, and last night, finally, he’d opened a door. She was determined not to let him close it.

    Whether by fortune, misfortune, or fate, Gabriel’s life was destined to intersect with Sarah’s again before the night was out. Ross had insisted he attend dinner. Having listened with marked tolerance, as Jamie waxed eloquent about the finer points of gunnery and naval tactics, he’d pled a headache at the first opportunity, and excused himself. Deciding to stop for a moment in the music room, he turned to find himself squarely in the path of the increasingly vexing … and fetching, Lady Munroe.
    “Why do you follow me, madam? Surely you should be at supper with your family.”
    Sarah blinked in consternation. He was as curt and cold as ever. It was as if their conversation last evening and this morning had never occurred. “I wanted to apologize again, monsieur. I hope you will continue to make use of the music room. I’ll not interrupt you again, I promise.”
    “But you are doing so now, Lady Munroe,” he said coolly.
    “I …” She blinked, flustered. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize.”
    “Your apologies aren’t necessary,” he insisted brusquely. “I pray you disregard the whole affair. If you will pardon me?” He moved to pass her.
    “A moment, monsieur,” she pleaded, clasping his forearm. “I’ve upset you. I don’t mean to. I worry that you’re not happy here.”
    He sprang erect at her touch, his manhood hungry and bold. Christ! Her brother should insist she dress as a woman. Those long shapely legs, encased in