Wild Affection

om, which obviously had

m, decorated in soft pas

wed up to help with her u

to help Maude with supper

to me about?" Lizzy fixed Kate with an impertin

s?" "I don't see as how that's any of you

llen glare, then turned abrup

ea why Lizzy's innocent que

Robin made. Meanwhile, Robin had seen to th

ruggling with a tray of fo

at Robin and forced a grin

te these days." Robin looked at the uneaten food

set on my recovering." "As we all are. How can McKenzie station thrive without its o

e was determined to get th

remain at McKenzie station.

inue as station boss." Robin hesitated so long, Wil

this over with your daughter?" "Kate is headstrong and s

ly am no help, and it's no

bin persisted. "Dare Penrod seems to think highly of you, since he put you in charge

convict." "Why are you deliberately trying to discourage me, Robin?" "Yo

es danced with an amusem

u?" William asked. "Kate has

lony to judge people. Let

e the feeling that you and

earn." "Kate is not a child, Mr. McKenzie." "Aye," William ad

le; a man who will give he

." "Were there no such men in England?" "Many," Willia

re I answer I should tell you that the

e granted soon, I will want

illiam asked sharply. "Perhaps," Robin hedged. William seem

nto the room. She spared R

tite will return tomorrow," William offered lamely. "I think you should rest now. Are you finished with Robin?" "Not quite. I have y

daughter, this can't wait." Robin stared at Kate. At

sapproval, at her violet ey

question came easily. "Aye

tremulous sigh slipped past William's l

r," Kate cried, dismayed by the turn

of seeing to McKenzie sta

your feet again." "Please don't defy me on this,

enzie station and my own

Of course, Father," Kate said guiltily,

with her, Robin," William insisted, u

so, sir." The corner of Robin's mou

Kate spin around and stom

" "I have no intention of getting to know you any better than I do now." "Is it just me you have an aversion

he grasped her, pulling h

eat shot through Robin. It

band of invisible heat. Ka

oaned. It was a curiously

man. Can't you feel it?" "I feel nothing," Kate denied hotly, "but your filthy hands

e a liar, Kathryn Molly M

, suddenly frightened of this m

use except two women serv

urse forty convicts on the

" she whimpered. "Aye, you do please me, Kate. A

contours of her body pressed so intimately against his own rigid hardness. Sud

y frightened of him. Did s

at was exactly what she expected fro

longer was appealing to h

have urgent business in the conv

oy your supper." He was d

. She stood for a long time, staring at

n enigma. He took such del

er his eyes were filled w

crimes? She wondered. H

yet, yet she couldn't hel

Touch her? Taunt her? For

e thing happened. Out of the blu

hed her lips, wondering wha

ouched by him, and caressed

ughts, frightened by the

was no young miss smitten

ly, surprised to find Fizzy standing beside her. "Nino, everything's just fine. Is suppe

e back to wherever it is he goes

ake him out something to eat?" "Do what you like, Lizz

sly. «» «» «» «» «» «» «» «» «» «» «» «» Two days later Robi

ny other woman he'd known

as to be undesirable. Per

her. It had taken him tw

Perhaps he should take tim

red. Her tempting little b

off things he had no busine

past two days he'd seen blessed lit

er he was too often on the

ought herself as capable a

cts and work them to the be

and his desperate need of

ld fall to ruin. At times

moment the object of Robin's thoug

frown marred her smooth b

. Robin was in the cow sh

g, Kate?" "It's Father." Robin noted the sli

for William? "Is he worse today? How can I help?" "You mention

myself," Robin offered. "Robin, take the horse, it's faster." Dr. Dani

im to McKenzie station wi

e outside William's door n

and approached them. The

tor?" Kate asked anxiously. Sh

rth, wringing her hands. "Not good, Miss McKenzie,

hing we can do? Surely some medicine..." "Nothing known to m

n't believe in giving hope

hat he avoids all stress." "Dear God," Kate said shaki

eek. "Can I go in to him now?" "By all means, just see

slipped into her father's room. "How long does he have, Dan?" Robin asked once Kate was o

elivered Casey's daughter

nds became his friends. An

vict, was a good man to hav

in New South Wales about

ors was what originally ha

e country and intended to s

ntable, but he hadn't giv

nzie is a very sick man," Dan hedged. "That's obvious. Can't you be more specific than

e two." "Bloody hell! What a damn shame." "I assume you're

"Lucky for the bloke who would have m

ble enough," Dan observed. "Quite pretty, too." "Don't get any ideas, Dan, Kate isn't fo

Last I heard, you and Se

e stood poised in the doorway, having

ad emerged just in time t

an named Serena and thei

question he spotted Kate,

ants to talk with you." "Now?" "Aye. I'll speak with Dr. Proctor while you're with Fa

f tea, and I know I can." Robin watched them w

obin, I'm awake. Have you spoken with the doctor?" "Aye." "Then you know I haven't much longer." "

e the truth." "Kate loves you, sir." "Aye, and I love her.

Kate no relatives in England, William?" "No one but an e

and go it alone. She's st

William's emaciated frame. "Aye, that too." "Why are you telling me this?"

ther day, William. Don't worry abo

available should Kate need

enzie station. He sent word that he and Casey will b

g that William's eyes were closed,

in a few days, Kate, but if you

eady calling her Kate? Why s

unattached, attractive m

eel much better with you caring for Father." Dan? Kate was a

What did it matter that K

? "What did Father want?" Kate asked once the door was closed on Dan. "

"It's just as well," Kate decided. "Dan s

erning the farm, please co

Father." "Why don't you ask Dare to handle

ting that I'm not capable?" Kat

e Miss McKenzie." "I'll bloody well call you what

urs. One day soon I'll be a

an ex-convict," Kate tossed

op herself. She was hurting. Hurting because her fat

oo proud to do so. Robin winced, stung by Kate's

at a sad time like this. H

turn to. "Kate," he said softly, ignoring her t

omeone." "I don't need anyone," Kate refute

p in her throat. Then she

in her eyes. "Kate," Robin said, grasping her

aced her cheek, feeling t

ead vigorously. "You little fool, can't you bend enough to accept comfort when it's offered?" "I don't n

Kate sorted through the meaning o

is. Kate's first thought wa

sense of detachment she r

finding it odd that she fel

ly disturbing. Then sudde

ntimately against the hard

lips apart. Robin was lost. Lost the moment

he offering comfort. He w

ded to, and because he ha

s will his hands began strok

er back strangely erotic de

s slid lower, lower still

bringing her closer close

Anger! Raw, black anger. Never had Kate been so an

obin was doing. Was she

just numb with grief over he

t and Lord knows what else

With a sob she wrenched o

face, leaving it waxen w

uch a vile manner!" Suddenly aware of how complete

mpered shrew but she was entitled to more respect t

n he had to act like one

e every ounce of restraint

but he'd seen women more

s Serena's. Yet some unkno

what devils drove her, w

e other woman in his life

on't say I'm sorry, Kate, 'cause I'm n

a brief time. I'll get ba

obin turned and walked away. Abruptly

am." Kate watched him walk away, undecide

d she said nothing. Her fe

Casey Penrod arrived the follow

to Robin, who informe

ely to recover. Kate saw

the porch waiting for them

, jumping up and down as

ollow. Little Lucy soon jo

ver seen a pair of toddle

e got her first glimpse o

. My God, she's beautiful! Kate though

a brilliant red and burni

uld be green and she wasn

re and realized that he wa

eautiful in a male, rugged

y now, but Kate hadn't the

d turn as cold as ice give

, it was like a kick to Kate's gut. Dare held out his hand

d Lucy. Robin told us your

rrected Dare concerning her name

rst impression was that she

te so sure about Casey, aft

ike a felon, but looks wer

ords of welcome, Kate let

e in," Kate invited. "Robin said

our father was so ill we'd have

doubt his sincerity. "Thank you. Uncle Thad sai

ized what she'd said and t

gize about," Casey added quic

n to have around." Kate bit her tongue to keep f

Robin long?" "Nearly all my life," Dare laug

I won't bore you with th

coming today and is anxious t

"Go ahead," Casey urged. "I'll check o

ng into." Casey walked outside, relieved to

d over to where Robin was

I'm glad you brought the little imps. I've missed them." They stood

nding on the porch, watch

in, and walked back to the

her attention, it was Robi

ke with Casey, the special

! My God, he did love her! Kate should have known b

on his face whenever he m

is friend's wife. Her next thought tumbled from

friend's wife! Close on the

ren are fine," Casey said when she

on them? I'm sure Robin ha

time they talked of trivial things

f William and his illness.

ling that Kate McKenzie

n didn't want to form a fr

gossip about her in Sydne

te would have heard it

Brandon ran up to the porch, ask

y is a big boy for his age." Kate

is father." Kate knew Mercy

don couldn't be over two

nd Lucy is nearly two." The smile froze on Kate's

hat Kate was thinking and c

ugh everyone knew Dare had been married to Mer

don's father. "I'm nearly four and Papa is

Uncle Robin?" "Of course, dear, don't get in

, I want us to be friends. Ther

o depend on one another." "Were you and Cousin Mer

hat did she hope to gain?

so an adulteress? Casey thought about her answer

I were nev