Wild Affection

to endear her to Kate. Acc

o wrong. Casey realized she and Kate were s

ize, Kate, that I was a con

e you were a convict, Casey," Ka

been too serious or Dare

breath, uncertain whether o

as common knowledge, and K

ld come from herself since she was the only one who

illed a man." The color drained from Kate's fa

drew back. Casey recogni

ccident, Kate. I could neve

oon pardoned." Somehow Kate couldn't think past

somewhat eased her mind a

he could comment, Dare re

th your father, Kate, and I

or me and I'll be here. Bu

nothing he doesn't know

y. Kate saw his eyes darken

love existed between Dare

love?" Dare asked, draping an arm around Casey's slim waist. "If we

o glad we've met, I hope w

e on the Hawkesbury. Ben u

harting a course across t

curiously. "Ben is my younger brother," Dare

ing to him since I much p

ody hell," he chuckled, "I

t did not say. "I don't think Kate likes me," Casey mused thoughtfully as they rode

r father is so ill must be

hat will happen to her and

everything." "'Tis a pity she never married." "That's what Will

o wed." "She's very beautiful," Casey observed. "So are you, lov

ou." Casey's eyes twinkled with helpless

«» «» «» «» «» «» Kate lingered on the porch after

ding out that Dare hadn't

hat Casey was a convicted

e knowledge that Robin was

e suspected it. "What did you think of Dare and

she looked up at him, the

rod. "Dare seems like a wonderful man," K

iend to Father and me." "You can depend on it,"

no help for it but to voic

at?" Damn, this wasn't going to be easy! "

gedly. "If you must know, I learned that Da

l married." Suddenly Robin was at a loss for

all?" "Is that all? Isn't that enough? If I

who marries you," Robin returne

sh she was yours," Kate tossed back. "Damn right!" Suddenly Robin realized what he had just said

at you when Casey is aroun

fe? How far has it gone?" Anger exploded in Robin's

er shoulders. "You acid-tongued little witch!

Casey is one in a million.

Dare were meant for one

er?" "Of course I love her. Like a friend, not a lover." Kate mere

ust keep your vile tongue off Casey," Robin warned ominously. Suddenly

like that. It was true she h

tures, but hadn't Casey

in loving Casey, that was

against Mercy. "Robin, I'm sorry. I'm sure C

Robin's hold on her slackened. "You do know how to rile a man, Kate. But you a

e wrong way. All that ene

s were like shards of blue

reached into her soul and d

what you are talking about. If yo

." Robin made no move to release her, ins

ek. "You do try a man, Ka

ow how to be a woman," Kate retorte

g? "No, there are so many things you don'

ruptly, the need to lower h

s mouth descending but made no ef

ps, the moist corners of hi

her closed lips. "Kate..." Her name was an ang

issing her. Not a subtle meeti

need and want, Kate felt

ssed many times in her

powerful craving. Robin'

l. When his tongue parted h

it frightened her. Never in her life had Kate been

nty-six-year-old spinster!

Marshaling her wits, she bit down hard on Robin's t

"Bloody hell, Kate, you do try a man! Haven't you ever been kissed before?" "N

please keep your hands to

rning your duties." She wh

her leave, his mouth taut, his ey

uldn't help but admire her.

ad to do was look into the

everything but how much he

sion for him and all the wo

te had no idea how very be

this long was a mystery

ongue. Her body was made

himself. Suddenly Robin's laughter died

twenty-six years to ma

gerous ground, and he shoo

to make love to Miss Ka

anned. She would probabl

ome to think of it, that

as he pictured all the w

Kate had another visitor, thi

o Robin only briefly conce

e. He'd been up to see Will

strictly regulated, determi

Robin was nowhere in sight

ard. He dismounted, tossed

he front door. Kate answe

anding on her doorstep. In his mid-thirties, he was ta

upper lip. He was rather p

ith a warm smile. "I'm Ronald Potter. We're almo

as sorry to hear of his dea

you come in, Mr. Potter," Kate invi

eping right now but he'll a

e way into the parlor. Potte

neighbors?" Kate asked conversationally. "In a manner of

orps?" Kate asked, recognizing the name. "Yes indeed." Pott

es?" "It's a land of opportunity," Potter sa

should have brought your wife to visit, Mr. Potter." "I have no

ho pleases me." His eye

bought more land in additi

ope to expand until I own

er station?" Kate asked sharply. "Did

station boss. His land was conf

I bought the station. I hop

or him, Miss McKenzie

ter." "Please let me know if you have any tr

have his 'ticket of leave'

the coal mines." His smil

or Robin Fletcher," Kate probed innocently. "The man is a convic

ts to appoint time-expired

ou ask me. There should be

never the twain shall meet." "You have strong feeling

Casey? Surely there are

trouble." "Casey O'Cain," Potter said bitter

d tell you much about Cas

as a servant. She killed a

ouldn't keep his hands o

t's no secret that their s

nzie. Casey was nothing b

other man she came in con

n seduced Robin Fletcher. A

ld Potter didn't say was that he'

een instrumental in havin

ey and would have if the P

ndictive, mean, and viciou

" had made him rich, and one day he'd find a way to claim revenge. Kate

between her and Robin.

riends. Whom was she to be

obin stomped into the roo

hell are you doing here, Potter?" "Are you screening M

ighbors, you know." "How could I forget? You boug

Kate gasped, shocked by his audac

manner." "You don't know the man, Kate. You

eated, looking at Kate with a n

"I allow nothing," Kate bit out, wishi

ust him, and I trust Father

you'll wait here, I'll see

t the room. "Keep away from Kate, Potter,

"Any fool can see she's past the age wher

ng me she's an innocent? R

her guardian? I heard her f

l need someone to guide he

e last person in the world Kate

only yourself. I haven't

rotective of Casey O'Cain, are you? I always knew she was a whore." The

in let loose a left jab that

have struck again if Kate h

op! How dare you attack my guest

's been courteous and char

r this. What makes you m

company. Please leave." Her words were like a dash

ave poor taste, Kate," Robin

Casey. They can tell you

good." Whirling on his h

" Kate apologized. "You must

in makes his own rules." "I'd feel much better if you

like, Ronald. Father is awake n

Kate, my visit will be short." "How dare you, Robi

s protecting?" Immediately

leen on him. "Is he gone?" Robin asked lazily

l come back. He seems a pleasant enough man." "You're a terrible judge of character, Kate," Ro

an pitching hay into the st

s slick with sweat or the

moleskin trousers. For a

tory, then when she realiz

, her eyes shot upward.

the high and mighty Mis

evilish amusement. For the life of her, Kate cou

n't stare at a man like that. It

." "Come here, Kate." "No." "I said come here." Kate was shocke

l the sweet, masculine o

his alone. Instinct told he

g to kiss you, Kate." "No." "Then I'm going to put m

ng to shock me, it won't work. Your words mean nothing to me." "Don't they? I know you're aware of me as a man." "You're a convict who works for m

rs. His kiss was challengi

Against her will, she su

lowing his tongue to invad

gh her veins, and Kate won

lips burned like fire, her

the way Robin Fletcher made her feel. When his lips left her

igh of relief, suddenly abl

oing all the things he'd t

les between finger and th

hit Robin or demand mor

fly into his gut. "Whoooosh! Bloody hell, Ka

enjoy being mauled by a convic

ed you so badly, I'd insist

you know about the coal mines?" "I know that Ronald

you proved troublesome he

ime. I don't know why I bother trying to protect you. W

truth?" "Perhaps I will ask them," Kate r

you believe him?" "II don't know what to believe." Suddenly Robi

. The figure of a woman st

ng the generous curves of h

bin in a peculiar manner.

to Robin their bodies were

ack, but it was too late;

for me, Lizzy?" "Aye, your fath

te nodded and started forward, brush

hat Lizzy had sidled next

. Kate snorted derisively.

l of her. Days passed and still William M

r his first visit he could

William was still hanging

stubbornness that his daug

r to McKenzie station, and

mpany. Dr. Dan wasn't Kate's only visitor

ld have liked. But since

pany, he conveniently dis

the stables Robin steered

visited Serena twice. But each time he couldn't bri

spread beneath him, her i

read around her like a hal

ouldn't stand each other. T

e another's throats. If Kat

e showed up, his face wreathed

s hand. "It's here, Robin!

ilant and he slapped Robi

y Robin took the document from Da

or it so long it seemed lik

e call him a convict. No

lt good. Words of gratitude

is more deserving of freedom than y

ll William. He'll be as ple

doubt not he'll be unhapp

s need me even though his daughter thinks otherwise." "Still at lo

obin grumbled sourly. "Tell her of your pardon, Robin. Perhaps she'll change her attit

about me. Besides, mate, it matters little

ryn Molly McKenzie is more woman than you give her

nc