Chapter 2 Taming the Wild Heart

"Why are we stopping?" Kate asked as Robin pulled up in front of a small house

close to the center of town.

"I'm going to borrow more blankets and pillows so your father can travel in

comfort."

"Who lives here?"

"The house belongs to Casey, Dare Penrod's wife. It was left to her by her first

husband. I've been staying here while waiting for the Southern Star to arrive."

"Dare Penrod has remarried?" Kate asked. "Uncle Thad spoke of him often.

Were he and Mercy terribly in love? Her death must have devastated him, just as

it did Uncle Thad. I'm surprised he remarried so soon."

Robin avoided her eyes, unwilling to apprise

Kate of Mercy's true nature or the real reason Dare married her when it was

Casey he loved always Casey.

Kate waited in the wagon with her father while Robin went into the house for

bedding. He was gone a long time, and when he emerged he carried a basket on

one arm and a blanket and pillow tucked under the other.

"Thought you might be hungry," he explained as he set the basket on the seat

between them, then cushioned William's head with the pillow and tucked the

extra blanket beneath him to cushion his frail bones.

"Sorry to be so much trouble, son," William apologized.

"Is there a doctor in Parramatta?" Kate asked worriedly. "If not perhaps we

should consult a doctor in Sydney before continuing our journey."

"There is a doctor in Parramatta now," Robin said. "We even have a decent road

to Parramatta, thanks to Governor Macquarie, who used convict labor to build

roads and public buildings."

"A doctor can't cure me, Kate," William said gently. Robin recognized

resignation in William's voice and added his own mute agreement. Kate,

however, disagreed vigorously.

"I won't have you talking like that, Father? You'll be on your feet in no time."

Soon Sydney lay behind them as the bullocks plodded steadily forward. Kate

stared in awe at the thick impenetrable bush growing on either side of the track,

consisting of dozens of species of eucalyptus and undergrowth of wattle, vines,

and

scrub. Some of the trees were ancient, growing forty feet high with willow like

leaves so sparse that grass grew lush on the forest floor beneath them. The first

time Kate heard the jungle cry of a kookaburra she started violently. But soon

she was so enchanted by the brilliant array of wildflowers she no longer had time

to worry over strange sounds.

"I've never seen anything like it," Kate said, her violet eyes wide with wonder.

"'Tis like no place in the world," Robin agreed.

"Tell me about McKenzie station," Kate urged, anxious to learn all about her

new home. "Do you live nearby?"

"I thought you understood. I'm a 'ticket of leave' man."

A terrible suspicion took hold of Kate and refused to let go. "What is a 'ticket of

leave' man?"

"A 'ticket of leave' man is allowed to work wherever he chooses," Robin

explained, unaware of the way Kate was edging away from him on the seat or

the whiteness forming around her mouth.

"My God, you're a convict!" Kate gasped. She clutched her throat in a defensive

motion, as if she expected Robin to turn on her with his next breath. "Is Dare

Penrod mad, trusting someone like you in Sydney on his own?"

"Someone like me?" Robin repeated, his sandy brows rising several notches.

"I'm sorry if my presence offends you, but obviously Dare trusts me enough to

get you to McKenzie station safely. He entrusted me with the welfare of

McKenzie station in Thad's absence, and you'll find everything in perfect order."

His handsome features hardened to stone, his blue eyes narrowed and darkened,

giving Kate a fleeting glance at a man who could be a formidable foe if he

chose. And here she was, alone, in the middle of nowhere with a sick father, at

the mercy of a vicious convict. It was common knowledge that the scum and

dregs of society were transported as punishment for crimes too despicable to

mention. Robin Fletcher might well be a murderer or rapist. Just the thought of

all the crimes he might have committed left Kate weak and shaken.

"I hope Dare Penrod knows what he is doing," Kate muttered, unconvinced.

"How many other convicts are there at McKenzie station?"

"Forty," Robin returned, scowling furiously. "I've been station boss for two

years, ever since Dare moved to his own land and could no longer devote the

time needed to McKenzie station. As a 'ticket of leave' man I'm free to work

where I choose. I was with Roy Penrod, Dare's father, before I moved over to

McKenzie station. I'll go back now that you've come to claim your property, so

you no longer need worry about me."

"Forty convicts!" Kate gulped, wondering how in the devil she'd be expected to

control men lacking in every social grace. Rough, vicious men so crude and

uncivilized England could no longer hold them. And Robin Fletcher was one of

those men!

Robin watched the expression on Kate's face change from open friendliness to

fear and disgust, and it rankled to think she was just like her cousin Mercy.

Mercy had been cold, calculating, manipulative, and sly. She had also been a

beautiful woman, just like Kathryn McKenzie. At least Serena Lynch didn't look

down her nose at him or consider him less than human.

Kate grew silent as she contemplated life amongst convicts. Of course she'd

known New South Wales was a penal colony but somehow it hadn't occurred to

her that she'd be the one to deal with them on a day-to-day basis or that convicts

would play so large a role in her life. The thought that she had mistaken

someone like Robin Fletcher for an upstanding citizen like Dare Penrod

completely unnerved her. She sat in silent rumination until a wallaby came

crashing out of the bush, startling her. She shrieked in alarm and without

conscious thought slid close to Robin. Robin grinned, his good humor suddenly

restored.

'"Tis only a wallaby, Kate, a common sight here in the bush. They're quite

harmless."

Kate flushed, embarrassed by her lack of knowledge and her sudden awareness

of the heat emanating through Robin to the side of her body where they touched.

She jerked away, stunned by her reaction to a man she barely knew. A man who

could very well be a murderer or worse.

"My name is Kathryn," she returned haughtily. She was more than a little

annoyed by Robin's familiarity and vowed to speak to Dare Penrod about him

when she finally met the man who had been Cousin Mercy's husband.

"I like Kate better," Robin returned cheekily.

Was he deliberately goading her? Kate wondered. She gnashed her teeth and

stared straight ahead, trying her best to ignore Robin. She failed miserably. Not

only was she very much aware of him as a man, she was annoyed by her

unaccustomed response to a man she should treat with the utmost contempt. In

an effort to conceal her confusion she turned back to see to her father's comfort.

"How is he faring?" Robin asked, genuinely concerned.

"He's dozing," Kate answered in a hushed voice. "He does a lot of that lately." A

frown worried her brow. "I'm terribly concerned about him."

"If you'd like, we can stop in Parramatta and let Dr. Proctor take a look at him."

Kate brightened. "Oh, yes, please. The ship's doctor said there was nothing he

could do, that Father that he..." her voice caught on a sob, "that his heart is

weak. He offered little hope."

Her voice was low and trembling, her emotions close to the surface. Aware of

her fragile control, Robin placed a big hand over her closed fists resting in her

lap. Kate stiffened, his callused palm oddly stirring against the smooth flesh of

her hands. Mistaking her response for revulsion, Robin quickly removed his

hand, scowling as he concentrated on the dirt track winding through the forest.

An uneasy silence prevailed until Robin halted the dray beside the Hawkesbury

River that ran parallel with the track.

"Why are we stopping?"

"Are you hungry? 'Tis a good place to stop and eat."

Robin jumped to the ground, then reached up and swung Kate down to stand

beside him before she could protest. His hands lingered on her slim waist a

moment longer than necessary, then abruptly he let them fall and turned away.

"See to your father," he said gruffly, "while I set out the food."

Kate knelt beside William, helping him to sit up in the wagon bed. The effort

was nearly too much for him, and he sat back weakly, panting. When he caught

his breath, he said, "Robin Fletcher seems like a capable young man."

"He's a convict, Father," Kate stressed. "Lord only knows what vicious crime the

man committed."

William seemed startled by Kate's revelation. He had been dozing in the dray

and hadn't heard the conversation concerning Robin's status.

"If Dare Penrod sent the man, that's good enough for me," William contended.

"You're much too trusting, Father," Kate chided. "This is a wild country with

strange customs, and Dare Penrod" Suddenly Robin walked up to the dray and

Kate fell silent.

Robin slanted Kate a quizzing glance, a glance that made her lower her eyes

guiltily.

"How are you feeling, Mr. McKenzie?" Robin asked solicitously.

"Don't worry about me," William gasped, managing a tepid smile. "How much

further?"

"We're about halfway to McKenzie station. I've fixed you a plate of food."

"Nothing for me," William said, turning away from the sight of Robin's offering.

"Father, please try to eat something," Kate urged. "There's a doctor in

Parramatta, I've asked Mr... er Robin to take us there first." Somehow it didn't

seem right to address a convict as mister.

"No, Kate, I want to go home first to McKenzie station. The doctor can come out

later if you'd like, but I seriously doubt there is anything he can do."

"Father"

"Your father is right, Kate excuse me Miss McKenzie. Once he's settled in at

McKenzie station, I'll send for the doctor." He turned his attention to his own

plate of food but paused when William laid a hand on his arm.

"Tell me about McKenzie station. That led me to believe it's a prosperous

enterprise. I owe Dare Penrod a great deal for managing the property in our

absence. I hope I'll be able to thank him in person."

"I'm certain both Dare and Casey will be calling on you soon."

"Casey?"

"Dare's wife."

"He's remarried then. Is it someone he met in England during his visit?"

"No," Robin said, hesitating a moment before adding, "Casey is an ex-convict."

Kate gasped, shocked to the core by Robin's startling revelation. How could a

man of breeding marry a woman convicted of a crime vile enough to earn

transportation? She wondered. Kate hoped she wasn't expected to befriend a

woman of such questionable morals and reputation. What in the world had ever

possessed Dare Penrod to marry such a woman after having a sweet, refined wife

like Cousin Mercy?

William was startled by Robin's words, but unlike his daughter he gave no

indication, preferring to waive judgment until he met both Dare and Casey. He

liked Robin Fletcher despite his background and he was anxious to judge for

himself how well McKenzie station had prospered under Robin's guidance. God

willing, he'd live long enough to see that Kate inherited a prosperous business.

William was all too aware that his desire to see to Kate's future had kept him

alive these long weeks.

Then Robin began telling William about McKenzie station and his attention

sharpened. Kate listened also, dismayed and vaguely uncomfortable at the note

of pride in Robin's voice. To Kate, Robin sounded much too possessive of a

property that didn't belong to him and never would. But William heard only

Robin's fierce love of the land, his confidence in his ability and pride in his

accomplishments. William had no idea what crime Robin had committed but

instinctively felt the punishment had been unnecessarily harsh.

"It sounds as if McKenzie station has prospered in Thad's absence, and I have

you and Dare Penrod to thank for it," William said gratefully.

"I was but doing my job," Robin said tightly. "A 'ticket of leave' man is free to

work where he wishes, and I couldn't ignore Dare's plea for help when he asked

me to step in as station boss at McKenzie station."

"It seems to me that Dare Penrod could have found someone other than a convict

to see to the welfare of McKenzie station," Kate interjected with a toss of her

well-shaped head.

"Kate!" William admonished sharply as he launched into a fit of coughing that

greatly sapped his flagging strength. "Where are your manners?"

Accustomed to disparaging remarks from exclusionists and "pure merinos,"

Robin merely smiled grimly. His blue eyes were shot with shards of ice, and

Kate shivered, his glacial stare chilling her to the bone. The man was dangerous,

she reflected, far more dangerous than she had originally thought. She silently

vowed to speak to her father about Robin Fletcher once they were alone and urge

him to banish Robin from McKenzie station. But now, seeing William weakened

from his bout of coughing, Kate shoved all thought of Robin aside as she bent

solicitously over her father.

"I'm sorry, Father, I don't know what possessed me to speak like that."

Deliberately she refrained from looking at Robin, for he'd know immediately she

wasn't sorry at all. Being in close contact with criminals and felons would take

some getting used to, and she wasn't certain she could ever learn to like it, or

treat them with any degree of courtesy.

Aware of William's distress, Robin curbed his anger. The poor man couldn't help

it if his daughter was an outspoken little termagant with an acid tongue and a

vile disposition. Obviously William had allowed his daughter too much freedom

to vent her spleen. A woman her age should be married with several children

hanging on to her skirts.

"It's time we were on our way, sir," Robin said as he gathered up the remnants of

their picnic. "I'm anxious to reach McKenzie station before dark. There are still

too many bushrangers about for comfort. That's not the kind of welcome I'd wish

for you." He hoisted himself onto the dray without first offering a hand to Kate.

She flashed him a disgusted look, then climbed clumsily into the seat beside

him.

"What are bushrangers?" she asked as she twitched her skirt primly into place

about her long legs.

"They're escaped convicts who live in the wild. They live off the land, stealing

cattle and sheep as needed and carrying out daring bail-ups. No one is safe on

the track as long as bushrangers roam free."

Kate glanced around nervously, imagining all manner of depraved characters

hiding in the bush to ambush them. "Are you carrying a weapon?"

Robin laughed harshly. "I'm a convict, remember?"

"Of course, how silly of me." Kate's face glowed a dull red. Would she ever

reconcile herself to this wild, uncivilized country? She turned away, exclaiming

over the wizened face of a koala smiling down at her as he munched calmly on

eucalyptus leaves.

Farther on she spied a kookaburra in a pepper tree and gave it her full attention,

relieved to find something other than the intimidating presence of Robin Fletcher

to concentrate on.

It amazed Kate to think that in England it would be fall while in Australia it was

spring. Flowers abounded everywhere in wild profusion. It had startled her to

learn, when she held a bloom to her nose, that it had no fragrance. Robin had

informed her that, while beautiful, most flowers in Australia were devoid of

scent.

Though it was only fifteen miles from Sydney to Parramatta, the trip to

McKenzie station took several hours.

"Ahead is Penrod station," Robin pointed out as they drove past a large, neat

house set well back from the track. "It belongs to Dare's father, Roy. McKenzie

Station is beyond the bend in the river. Dare's land lies due west of McKenzie

station and encompasses nearly all the land along the Hawkesbury River

stretching to the foothills of the Blue Mountains."

"The river is high," Kate mentioned conversationally.

"spring runoff," Robin replied. "We've had a tremendous amount of rain this

spring. Runoff comes down from the Blue Mountains and fills the river and

streams. Some years it causes flooding so severe all crops are lost. Then there's

drought to contend with," Robin continued. "Summers are hot and dry, and you'll

grow so sick of heat and dust you'll wish for winter."

"Does Australia have no redeeming qualities?" Kate asked, wondering if it had

been a mistake to come to a place so lacking in everything she knew and loved.

Robin's thick brows slanted upward and his blue eyes grew dreamy as he looked

beyond Kate to where the Blue Mountains rose tall and majestic in the west.

"Redeeming qualities?" he repeated, dragging his eyes away from the far horizon

to stare at Kate. "This land is so vast, no mortal has conquered its dimensions.

It's wild, untamed, and uncivilized. The flora and fauna are so different from

what we know, each day is a new experience. Once I'm emancipated I'll never

leave. I want my children to be a part of the taming of Australia. I'd give

anything to be the first to find a route across the Blue Mountains."

Kate stared with open curiosity at Robin as he spoke. His passion for a land

meant to be his prison stunned her. His words were so stirring, Kate fell silent in

order to contemplate the wonders of which Robin spoke.

"There it is, McKenzie station," Robin said, halting the dray to allow Kate an

unrestricted view of the house and surrounding land. Larger than Penrod station

but smaller than Dare's farm, McKenzie station was an impressive sight to

behold.

"I... I never dreamed it was so big," Kate said, awed by what she saw.

The land surrounding the house was largely cleared of brush as far as the eye

could see. A white fence surrounded the sprawling rectangular house of two

stories. Close by stood stables, cow sheds, convicts' huts, and a blacksmith's

shop. The entire farm appeared well cared for and prosperous, attesting to Robin

Fletcher's ability as station boss. In the distance Kate could see green paddocks

with grazing cattle in the meadows and sheep on the hillsides. Chickens

scratched in the yard in the dappled shade of several large gum trees.

When Kate had looked her fill, Robin set the dray into motion. Several convicts

greeted Robin and stared curiously at Kate as they entered the yard. Robin

returned their greeting with a careless wave while Kate squirmed uncomfortably

and tried to ignore their pointed stares.

"Relax, Kate," Robin said, reverting to her nickname and earning a frown for his

familiarity. "'Tis only natural that the men are curious about their new master and

mistress."

Robin drew up before the front door and leaped down from the dray. Kate

scrambled down before Robin could lend her a hand and went immediately to

her father's side.

"We're here, Father."

Suddenly a strange occurrence diverted their attention. When they had driven

into the yard it was still daylight. Then, in the brief span of a heartbeat, the azure

sky turned indigo as the sun dropped below the horizon. It all transpired so

quickly, Kate was stunned by the startling phenomena. In England, as in most

parts of the world, daylight was followed by dusk that gradually turned into

night. In New South Wales a black velvet curtain descended without warning to

blot out the light. It was truly an odd occurrence, one that would take some

getting used to.

Briefly Robin explained what they had just experienced, and by the time he

finished two women appeared in the doorway of the house to greet them.

According to Dare's instructions, Robin had engaged the services of two women

convicts to serve William and Kate at McKenzie station. He had sent them ahead

with orders to ready the house for their master and mistress. He turned to greet

them now and introduce them to the McKenzies.

Kate looked to Robin for an explanation, for she had no idea who the women

were. One looked to be about forty, not unattractive, with brown hair starting to

turn gray at the temples and pulled back into a neat bun. She was of medium

height, her body softly rounded and pleasing to the eye. The second woman was

much younger and more flamboyant, with dark red hair, deep blue eyes, and a

flirtatious smile. Her figure was stunning; high breasts, slim waist, and long legs

were put together in such a fashion as to demand immediate attention. She

smiled at Robin in a way that grated on Kate's nerves.

"This is Maude," Robin explained, gesturing toward the older woman. "Maude

will act as cook and housekeeper." Maude bobbed her head. "And this is Lizzy.

Lizzy does general housecleaning and whatever chores you deem necessary.

They are convicts assigned to work for you. If you have any complaints about

their work you need only tell Dare and he'll have them replaced."

"Convicts," squeaked Kate. She'd had no idea she'd be surrounded by convicts

inside her house as well as outside. Was she to be safe nowhere? She spared a

glance at Robin and saw that he was scowling at her, expecting her to make

some reply or at least acknowledge the two servants. "I'm sure we'll get on

famously," she said for want of a more intelligent reply.

"This is Miss McKenzie," Robin continued as he addressed the two women.

"You will both take your orders from her. At the present time her father is ill, and

you will be expected to see to his needs until he is back on his feet."

Only then did Maude and Lizzy discover William lying in the bed of the dray.

"Oh, the poor man!" Maude exclaimed, looking at William with sympathetic

brown eyes. Lizzy merely stared. "I'll prepare a room for him immediately.

Come along, Lizzy." Reluctantly Lizzy followed, obviously content to stand there and stare at Robin.

When they disappeared into the house, Robin lifted William from the dray and preceded Kate into the house. He headed directly up the stairs and paused before the master bedroom. Maude and Lizzy were just turning down the bed. Very carefully Robin set William down on the feather mattress, and stepped back to allow Kate access to her father.

"I'll fix you something nourishing," Maude said as she got her first glimpse of William's emaciated frame.

"Thank you," Kate replied, grateful for the woman's concern. Surely Robin was mistaken, this gentle woman couldn't be a convict. Seeing that Lizzy hung back,

Kate quickly dismissed her. That one she wasn't sure about. There was something sly about her that Kate didn't like.

"If there is nothing more I can do for you, I'll leave," Robin offered when he

noted that William appeared to be dozing.

Suddenly William opened his eyes. "Don't leave yet, Robin, I'd like to speak

with you privately. After I rest a bit."

"I'll see to the luggage," Robin said, turning to leave.

"You'll come back?" William asked hopefully.

"Aye, I've nowhere to go tonight." Robin nodded at Kate, then left father and daughter alone.

"What do you want with Robin?" Kate asked curiously.

"I've need of a good man at McKenzie station," William said. "I'm going to ask him to remain as station boss."

"Is that wise, Father? the man is dangerous. I don't trust him. Find out what

crimes he's committed before asking him to remain."

"Trust me, daughter, I believe I'm a better judge of character than you are. You

have nothing to fear from Robin Fletcher."

Nothing to fear! Kate screamed in mute appeal. Dear God, didn't Father realize that this man was a danger to her? Didn't he care that her very soul was at risk?

Robin Fletcher made her feel. He made her feel things a twenty-six-year-old woman had no business feeling, let alone thinking. Why now? She cried out in silent supplication. And why a man so totally unfit? Robin Fletcher God help her. She needed all the help she could get if he remained at McKenzie station.