Broken Wing by Judith James

broken nose and a dashing scar that scored him from jaw to cheekbone. He was a wildly romantic figure. Dressed all in black, with leather boots and breeches, he looked every inch the pirate.
    “Well, if it isn’t Gypsy Davey, returned from the sea, and turning my household upside down.”
    “Ross!” the dark-haired giant boomed, striding across the room, and throwing his arms around him,lifting him up off the floor.
    Laughing, Huntington enthusiastically returned the other man’s embrace. “You took your time, you canny bastard! I was beginning to fear you were swinging from a rope somewhere, you old pirate!”
    The man they called Gypsy Davey placed a finger against his lips and winked. “Shhh, my darling. Not in front of the children, and it’s privateer, if you please.” Turning to look at Gabriel, he grinned and bowed. “And who’s this pretty child, Huntington?”
    Gabriel returned the bow, replying before Ross was able, eyes hard, voice cold and dangerous, “Why do you ask, my dear? Do you fancy a tumble?”
    “Oh, ho! What’s this? Huntington, the cub has teeth!”
    “Aye, that he does, Davey. That he does.” Quickly stepping next to Gabriel, Ross gave his shoulder a friendly squeeze. “I’m hoping you can teach him how to use them.”
    Cocking his head to one side, Davey looked at Gabriel again, assessing him. “Well, it appears you’ve some spirit, at least. If you’ve any ability, I might consider teaching you a thing or two, to please my old friend here. What would you say to that?”
    Gabriel wanted to tell him to go fuck himself, and it showed clearly in his eyes, but he wouldn’t embarrass Sarah, or Ross, by insulting a friend in their home. Remembering what Ross had said about this man, he struggled to contain the rage his careless comment,and more to the point, his obvious interest in Sarah, had engendered. “I would say, monsieur, that I would hope to show myself most appreciative of anything you might care to teach me.”
    Davey regarded him with renewed interest, a speculative gleam in his eyes. “Your name?”
    “Gabriel, monsieur.”
    “Ah, a fellow Frenchman, yes?
Et bien
, Gabriel, I’ll be staying on my ship for now. Make yourself available in the morning and we’ll see if you’re worth my while.” Turning to Sarah, he bowed gallantly. “Sarah, my darling, I must do my duty by your brother. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll continue my tale at supper.”
    Ross and Davey retreated to the study, leaving Sarah alone with Gabriel for the first time in over two weeks. She’d been a little surprised to wake snug in her bed after the meteor shower. He must have carried her there, and the thought of it made her blush. She rather regretted she hadn’t been awake to enjoy the experience. He’d seemed hesitant, almost shy in her company since then, but that was a vast improvement over cold and surly she thought with a grin.
    Something fundamental had shifted between them since their rough encounter in the hall. She’d appreciated his apology, though she’d never really feared he would harm her. His coldness and contempt were what had wounded her, and that had disappeared since his visit to her balcony. They had shared something magical that night, and it had sown the seeds ofa fragile but budding friendship. They had been careful with each other since, neither of them wanting to presume or impose.
    Having acquired the habit of studying him, Sarah hadn’t missed Gabriel’s angry reaction to Davey’s careless comment. She knew, better than most, how it would have stung. It couldn’t have been easy for him to see Jamie off, either, she reflected. With a smile of sympathy, she walked over to thread her arm through his. “You mustn’t mind Davey. He’s a little wild and tends to say whatever he pleases, but he has a heart of gold and there’s no truer friend. Come, walk with me, and tell me what happened at Sidney’s. Will Jamie be happy there, do you think?”
    He answered her