Wild Affection
les, Australia,
ry, Dare," Robin charged,
Dare returned, annoyed t
rena is a beautiful woman
he only woman worth hav
ntended
offense at Robin Fletcher
love for Casey O'Cain Pen
no man could wish for a
eited his own freedom an
rder to help Casey. On seve
ed Governor Macquarie for
d pardon had ye
erena for her money, I've
you whatever
t looking for a handout."
llused hand, his vivid blu
thirty acres allotted to m
pped of when I lost my fr
re land and sheep
en of the comfortable new
from England. With the
ther he'd purchased a la
owned a prosperous shee
ales, includin
with you, Robin," Dare s
lp you in any
ely handsome, Dare Penrod
Nearly the same height as
r shot with streaks bleache
bi
eyes, which used to twi
Thick, ropy muscles cor
his back as he clenched and
e coal mines had changed R
a man who had been cheate
ame easily to his lips, and
and disillusionment
transported to New South
nd lost it when, as a fav
by the "Rum Corps" durin
l in the coal mines. Later R
re he wanted for w
ks ma
th tilted into a rare smil
een kind to Robin. He'd los
man he loved marry his b
live with life's disappoin
s. But it had also robbed
th a hard-edged, c
d count on the Penrods."
ect was
arrive any day now," Dar
didn't want to talk about S
h h
houghtfully. "They'll be
McKenzie stati
s full with my own farm, b
e to look after the place i
Mercy, he more or less ex
m to return
s hard on Thad,"
r your taking over manage
for me, the place wouldn
da
illiam McKenzie and hi
h," Dare said. "I'm hoping
always so much to d
to Sydney tomorrow and wait
he key to Casey's house in
sta
r my name
ain Penrod lit up the room
by his loss and his
nterruptin
ising and slipping an ar
e-and-a-half-year-old Bra
supple and sweetly fashi
freckled nose, unwilling to
Casey were together it was
love were a beacon it wo
hared, and knew he'd never
posed there would always b
e
ing so seriously?" Casey a
ne we
sourly. "And Robin's pardo
. I don't know why Govern
y on
vised. "The governor has
and sent back to England
ve?" she as
rrow to wait for their sh
will arrive
appreciate your going in
w would create
"It sure beats the coal mi
. I'll miss it when Thad'
in
s a 'ticket of leave' man
Dare remi
rm before long," Robin re
stration he felt at having
Governor Johnson after
from
fe?" Case
upturned face. Serena was
adiant beauty. "Perhap
burst into the room with
was a tiny replica of Casey
t opposite of her b
e children, and it was som
carried the hope that one
piness shared by
led into Sydney Cove a few
s debarked. It was a typi
shirt open at the neck, m
lly scrutinized the passe
n't many. Several men, qu
ldren, a few husbands and
e wretched creatures, ill
ere prodded down the gan
essness he'd felt when he
le
had all but stopped, and
cKenzies. According to the
nzies were sailing on the
ship? Robin wondered. Hi
halt as a beautiful but
ared at th
er; wispy tendrils of jet b
fastened at her nape and
tched the rail, unaware of
ing her dress against her
m legs and full breasts su
her eyes against the mer
ed the quay anxiously.
s husband, Dare Penrod,
their intention of sailing
hed him in time. Having so
cially since her father
Kenzie still lived, barely
iam clung stubbornly to li
oved daughter's future was s
on a convict island had giv
, though the effort cost
d ang
y, then came to rest on t
upward tilt of his head pull
road shouldered and slim-
his massive chest. Kate wo
sin's husband, and called
he words from her mouth a
reach the m
lank. Clutching the rail,
oved with the rolling gai
cise. His deep tan hinted a
rippling muscles suggested
Kate wondered if the
d on the heels of her fir
had seen a man as intri
walking t
e got his first good look a
her eyes and felt himself d
t his pulses
u Dare
pnotic as her eyes, but Ro
rep
cher. Are you M
d?" Kate asked sharply. "
edged up a notch, giving
on the brink
" Robin informed her. "Whe
William McKenzie was abs
he deck be
but she'd held up thus fa
going to crumble now. The
nd courage to cope with an
h to manage his own affair
t William McKenzie
ll," Kate said, swallowing t
don't think I could have
on
l days waiting for the Sout
t the dray for your trunks
her to l
was grateful to transfer t
he was. There would be tim
learn who and what Rob
him, she coul
n. I'll take you to him." Ka
eath a froth of white pettic
d afte
and smelled of sickness.
rched the cramped room f
e bunk. He was fully dres
. Robin was appalled at the
heeze and cough, Robin re
ge. William McKenzie was
n and knelt
I've come to take you to M
uth Wa
smile. "Thank you, son.
g him into another spasm o
t my daugh
as she offered Robin a c
enz
hryn Molly McKenzie," Rob
ld him there was more t
e and well-tu
ng girl in the first blush
widow. She was wonderful
ing so fascinated by a wom
. Kate's small slim hand
he hung on to it a mom
ked up his wrist, spreadin
e of those same vibration
em
her hand and turned back
Mr. McK
now," Will
d, trying to hide his dis
d lifted the emaciated man
Miss McKenzie. I'll follo
our trunks carrie
elpless," Wi
ou'll be on your feet aga
e knew William McKenzie wo
see McKenz
xiously as Robin carried W
of the dray. With blanket
ake him more comfortable
rs of the trip to
their trunks, and when he
wagon bed next
able up here on the sea
m for your trunks in the
otest, but when the trunks
r murmuring a few soothing
to Robin. Then the lumberin
hung on, glancing worriedl
een two
ese bullocks aren't the m
in New South Wales?" Kat
to the trut
. "Bullocks are far more p
horses, and of course
cle Thad o
rses at McKenzie station, b
ullocks would d
treet, and Kate stared in
ntly displayed in the
y still u
owed. "Convicts outnumber
ne wonders since his arri
orps and establish legal
e for g
structed building. "That's
rch, still unfinished but c
mor has it that Macquarie
exclusionists and 'pure m
Macquarie will have his w
time expired convicts belong
itizens they wouldn't be co
o a strange land," Kate s
ut withheld comment. At l
nny, he wouldn't take her
Both Thad and Mercy M
ts, so why should Thad's
fer