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