Wild Affection

In New South Wales, Australia, September 1782

"Don't tell me who to marry, Dare," Robin charged, scowling at his friend.

"It's for your own good," Dare returned, annoyed that Robin would think he'd

offer unsound advice. "Serena is a beautiful woman, but she's not for you."

"You've already taken the only woman worth having in New South Wales,"

Robin contended sourly.

Dare Penrod did not take offense at Robin Fletcher's startling words. He was

well aware of his friend's love for Casey O'Cain Penrod, Dare's cherished wife.

Nor was Dare jealous, for no man could wish for a better friend than Robin

Fletcher. Robin had forfeited his own freedom and lost everything he had

sweated and toiled for in order to help Casey. On several occasions Dare and his

father, Roy, had petitioned Governor Macquarie for Robin's freedom, but the

long-anticipated pardon had yet to be granted.

"If you plan on marrying Serena for her money, I've told you time and again I'd

gladly give you whatever you need."

"Bloody hell, Dare, I'm not looking for a handout." Absently Robin ruffled his

sandy brown hair with a callused hand, his vivid blue eyes troubled. "Once I'm

pardoned I'll settle on the thirty acres allotted to me by law and try to forget

about the land I was stripped of when I lost my freedom. Serena's money will

allow me to buy more land and sheep and plant crops."

They were seated in the den of the comfortable new home Dare had built for

Casey when they returned from England. With the money Dare had inherited

from his English grandfather he'd purchased a large tract of land on the

Hawkesbury River and now owned a prosperous sheep farm that surpassed any

in New South Wales, including his father's.

"I'm not going to argue with you, Robin," Dare sighed. "Just remember I'm

willing to help you in any way I can."

Superbly fit and aggressively handsome, Dare Penrod rested his slate gray eyes

pensively on his friend. Nearly the same height as Dare, Robin was lean and

sinewy; his sandy brown hair shot with streaks bleached blond by the brutal sun.

Robin's

quickly intelligent blue eyes, which used to twinkle with good humor and

warmth, were now somber. Thick, ropy muscles corded his tanned torso and

broad chest, rippling down his back as he clenched and unclenched his fists. The

months spent toiling in the coal mines had changed Robin Fletcher from a fun-

loving, easygoing man into a man who had been cheated out of all the pleasures

of life. A smile no longer came easily to his lips, and his bright blue eyes held a

glimpse of the pain and disillusionment life had dealt him.

Convicted of poaching and transported to New South Wales, Robin Fletcher had

earned his freedom once and lost it when, as a favor to Casey, he aided an

escaped convict wounded by the "Rum Corps" during a daring escape. As a

result he'd been sent to toil in the coal mines. Later Robin was given a "ticket of

leave" to work where he wanted for whomever he pleased.

"Thanks mate."

The corners of Robin's mouth tilted into a rare smile despite his somber mood.

The past few years hadn't been kind to Robin. He'd lost his land and his freedom;

he'd had to watch the woman he loved marry his best friend and bear his

children. He had learned to live with life's disappointments, for time had a way

of healing grievous wounds. But it had also robbed him of warmth and humor,

and replaced it with a hard-edged, cynical bitterness.

"I've always known I could count on the Penrods." Robin's words implied that

the subject was closed.

"The McKenzies are due to arrive any day now," Dare said, honoring Robin's

unspoken request. If Robin didn't want to talk about Serena Lynch, that was fine

with him.

"I know," Robin replied thoughtfully. "They'll be pleased at how well you've

taken care of McKenzie station for them."

"Lord knows I have my hands full with my own farm, but I didn't have the heart

to refuse when Thad asked me to look after the place in his absence. Since I was

married to his daughter, Mercy, he more or less expected it of me. I fully

expected him to return one day."

"Mercy's death was hard on Thad," Robin said slowly.

"Aye, but if it wasn't for your taking over management of McKenzie station

when it became burdensome for me, the place wouldn't be in such good shape

today."

"What do you suppose William McKenzie and his daughter are like?"

"We'll find out soon enough," Dare said. "I'm hoping you'll meet them in Sydney

in my stead. There's always so much to do at shearing time."

"Thought I'd take the dray to Sydney tomorrow and wait until their ship arrives."

"Good idea. I'll give you the key to Casey's house in town so you'll have a place

to stay."

"Did I hear my name mentioned?"

Pert, red-headed Casey O'Cain Penrod lit up the room with her vibrant beauty.

Robin was struck anew by his loss and his friend's good fortune.

"I'm not interrupting, am I?"

"Never!" Dare refuted, rising and slipping an arm around her slim waist.

Despite two children three-and-a-half-year-old Brandon and Lucy, nearly two

Casey remained reed slim, supple and sweetly fashioned. Robin turned away as

Dare planted a kiss on her freckled nose, unwilling to intrude upon so private a

moment. Whenever Dare and Casey were together it was as if no one existed but

the two of them. If their love were a beacon it would light the world. Robin

envied the closeness they shared, and knew he'd never be so fortunate as to find

a woman like Casey. He supposed there would always be a part of him that loved

her.

"What were you two discussing so seriously?" Casey asked, smiling at Robin in

genuine welcome.

"Serena Lynch," Dare said sourly. "And Robin's pardon, which is taking longer

than any of us would like. I don't know why Governor Macquarie is moving so

slowly on this."

"Give him time," Casey advised. "The governor has worked wonders since the

Rum Corps was disbanded and sent back to England. When are the McKenzies

due to arrive?" she asked Robin.

"I'm going to Sydney tomorrow to wait for their ship. Word has it that the

Southern Star will arrive at any time."

"You don't know how much I appreciate your going in my stead," Dare repeated.

"My leaving now would create a hardship."

"I don't mind," Robin said. "It sure beats the coal mines. Besides, I've enjoyed

managing McKenzie station. I'll miss it when Thad's brother takes over the

reins."

"He'll need help, Robin. As a 'ticket of leave' man you can work for whom you

please," Dare reminded him.

"I hope to have my own farm before long," Robin replied. His voice betrayed

some of the anguish and frustration he felt at having been stripped of everything

he owned by Lieutenant Governor Johnson after Governor Bligh had been

ousted from power.

"And a wife?" Casey teased.

Robin searched her lovely upturned face. Serena was beautiful, but she couldn't

compare with Casey's radiant beauty. "Perhaps," he said evasively.

Suddenly Brandon Penrod burst into the room with the fury of a whirling

tornado. Hard on his heels was a tiny replica of Casey. Dainty and ladylike, Lucy

Penrod was the exact opposite of her boisterous brother.

Robin was a favorite of the children, and it was some time before he could take

his leave. When he did he carried the hope that one day he would find just one-

tenth of the happiness shared by Dare and Casey.

When the Southern Star sailed into Sydney Cove a few days later, Robin was on

the quay as the passengers debarked. It was a typical spring day, warm and

breezy. Dressed in flannel shirt open at the neck, moleskin trousers, and wide-

brimmed hat, Robin carefully scrutinized the passengers as they walked down

the gangplank. There weren't many. Several men, quite possibly speculators,

several families with children, a few husbands and wives, most young, and of

course, more convicts. The wretched creatures, ill-clothed and pale, looked

dazed and sick as they were prodded down the gangplank. Robin shuddered,

remembering well the hopelessness he'd felt when he first set foot in New South

Wales.

The stream of passengers had all but stopped, and Robin frowned, wondering

what had happened to the McKenzies. According to the letter Dare had received

a few weeks ago, the McKenzies were sailing on the Southern Star. Had they

decided to take another ship? Robin wondered. His thoughts strayed for a

moment, then skidded to a halt as a beautiful but somewhat distraught young

woman appeared at the railing.

She was tall and reed slender; wispy tendrils of jet black hair had worked loose

from the rather prim bun fastened at her nape and blew about her memorable

heart-shaped face. She clutched the rail, unaware of the beguiling picture she

made with the breeze molding her dress against her lush curves. Robin stared

appreciatively at long slim legs and full breasts suddenly thrust upward as she