Chapter 4 Heart's Conviction: A Tale of Love and Redemption

Casey's answer did little to endear her to Kate. According to Uncle Thad, Mercy

had been a paragon of virtue and could do no wrong. Casey realized she and Kate were starting off on the wrong foot and sought to

make amends. "You must realize, Kate, that I was a convict and had little contact

with your cousin." "Robin told me you were a convict, Casey," Kate said thoughtfully. "But I know

your crime couldn't have been too serious or Dare would never have married

you." Casey drew in a ragged breath, uncertain whether or not to reveal the nature of

her crime. After all, it was common knowledge, and Kate was bound to find out

sooner or later. In any event, Casey thought it should come from herself since she was the only one who knew the truth. A very honest person, Casey decided

nothing could be gained by lying to Kate. "I killed a man." The color drained from Kate's face, leaving her white as a sheet and thoroughly

shaken. Instinctively she drew back. Casey recognized her fear and shock and

quickly added, "It was an accident, Kate. I could never harm another living soul.

Evidently the governor believed me, for I was soon pardoned." Somehow Kate couldn't think past the word "kill." Then the fact that Casey was

a loving wife and mother somewhat eased her mind and she was able to think

more calmly. But before she could comment, Dare returned and suggested they

leave. "I had a long talk with your father, Kate, and I assured him I'd help whenever

you needed me. Just send for me and I'll be here. But with Robin around you're

in good hands. There is nothing he doesn't know about raising sheep and

farming." He turned to Casey. Kate saw his eyes darken to smoky gray and realized

immediately that a special love existed between Dare and his wife, one that was

hard won and would last forever. "Shall we take our little imps home, love?" Dare asked, draping an arm around Casey's slim waist. "If we can get them away from their Uncle Robin," Casey laughed up at Dare.

She turned to Kate. "I'm so glad we've met, I hope we can become good friends.

It does get lonely out here on the Hawkesbury. Ben used to come and visit often

but he joined the group charting a course across the Blue Mountains and we

haven't seen him in ages." "Ben?" Kate asked curiously. "Ben is my younger brother," Dare explained. "An adventurer if I ever saw one.

I'll leave all the exploring to him since I much prefer remaining home with

Casey and the children. Bloody hell," he chuckled, "I sound like a doddering old

man. But I must admit, life is never dull with Casey." I'll bet not, Kate thought but did not say. "I don't think Kate likes me," Casey mused thoughtfully as they rode home. "You're imagining things, love," Dare scoffed. "She's a bit shy, but I find her

delightful. Knowing that her father is so ill must be terribly difficult for her.

William is worried about what will happen to her and McKenzie station after his

death. He's afraid Kate will try to manage on her own and lose everything." "'Tis a pity she never married." "That's what William says. She's had offers enough, it seems, but no one suited.

At twenty-six she's already considered a spinster and unlikely to wed." "She's very beautiful," Casey observed. "So are you, love," Dare said softly. "Put the children to bed after we get home

and I'll show you how much I appreciate you." Casey's eyes twinkled with helpless mirth. "Dare Penrod, you're incorrigible!

Thank God you've never changed." «» «» «» «» «» «» «» «» «» «» «» «» Kate lingered on the porch after the Penrods left, trying to come to terms with all

she had learned today. Finding out that Dare hadn't been faithful to Mercy was

bad enough, but learning that Casey was a convicted killer shocked her. And if

all that wasn't enough, the knowledge that Robin was in love with Casey Penrod

was totally unexpected, although she should have suspected it. "What did you think of Dare and Casey?" Kate was so lost in thought she hadn't

seen Robin approach. When she looked up at him, the thought struck her that he

was every bit as good-looking as Dare Penrod. "Dare seems like a wonderful man," Kate hedged, deliberately refraining from

including Casey. "I'm certain he'll be a good friend to Father and me." "You can depend on it," Robin concurred. "Did you and Casey have a nice

visit?" Kate sighed, seeing no help for it but to voice her feelings. "It was very

enlightening." "Exactly how do you mean that?" Damn, this wasn't going to be easy! "I learned some things today that well that

shocked me." "Such as," Robin persisted doggedly. "If you must know, I learned that Dare was unfaithful to Cousin Mercy. Brandon

was conceived while Dare and Mercy were still married." Suddenly Robin was at a loss for words. If Casey had wanted Kate to know the

whole story she would have told her. "Is that all?" "Is that all? Isn't that enough? If I were married, my husband damn well better be

faithful to me." "I pity the man who marries you," Robin returned, his temper flaring. How dare

Kate judge Casey and find her lacking? "At least Casey knows how to be a wife." "I'm sure you wish she was yours," Kate tossed back. "Damn right!" Suddenly Robin realized what he had just said and fell silent. Robin's words only confirmed Kate's suspicion. "I know you love Casey Penrod.

All one has to do is look at you when Casey is around and it's visible for the

whole world to see. Does Dare know you covet his wife? How far has it gone?" Anger exploded in Robin's brain. He grasped Kate's shoulders and gave her a

shake that nearly sent her head flying from her shoulders. "You acid-tongued little witch! If you haven't anything good to say about a

person, don't say anything. Casey is one in a million. She'd never do anything to

dishonor Dare. She and Dare were meant for one another. Few people are

blessed with a love like theirs." "Are you saying you don't love her?" "Of course I love her. Like a friend, not a lover." Kate merely smiled. That made Robin angrier, and he gave her another vicious

shake. "Take your hands off me!" she said between chattering teeth. "Just keep your vile tongue off Casey," Robin warned ominously. Suddenly Kate realized she was acting like a fool. She was being judgmental and

unfair. Normally she wasn't like that. It was true she had little use for convicts,

knowing their vicious natures, but hadn't Casey said the killing had been

accidental? And as for Robin loving Casey, that was his business. The one thing

Kate couldn't forgive Casey for was her sin against Mercy. "Robin, I'm sorry. I'm sure Casey is a wonderful woman. She and Dare seem

very happy together. Many people love where there is no hope of reciprocation." Robin's hold on her slackened. "You do know how to rile a man, Kate. But you also know how to apologize prettily. I'm sorry if I hurt you. 'Tis strange how we

seem to rub each other the wrong way. All that energy should be directed in

another direction." His eyes were like shards of blue glass, sharp and piercing,

and Kate felt as if he had reached into her soul and dragged forth an emotion she

had yet to discover. "I don't know what you are talking about. If you would kindly unhand me, I'll go

to Father now. It's time for his medicine." Robin made no move to release her, instead drawing her closer until she felt his

warm breath brush her cheek. "You do try a man, Kate McKenzie. I'd like to

teach you how to be a woman." "I know how to be a woman," Kate retorted hotly. Why was she trembling? Why

were her knees weak and her heart pounding? "No, there are so many things you don't know. Things I'd like to teach you. If

only" His sentence ended abruptly, the need to lower his mouth and taste her lips

too potent to resist. Kate saw his mouth descending but made no effort to resist, mesmerized by the

sensuous fullness of his lips, the moist corners of his mouth and the tip of his

tongue as it flicked out to trace a line across her closed lips. "Kate..." Her name was an anguished groan as it slipped from his throat. "You

do tempt a man." Then he was kissing her. Not a subtle meeting of lips but hard and hungry.

Demanding and so full of need and want, Kate felt consumed by his devouring

hunger. She had been kissed many times in her life but never with such

overwhelming intensity or powerful craving. Robin's kiss gave her a taste of

heaven and a glimpse of hell. When his tongue parted her lips and slipped inside,

she felt a surge of heat rush through her body. And it frightened her. Never in her life had Kate been so fearful of losing her identity her soul all that

made her Kate McKenzie, twenty-six-year-old spinster! And she didn't like it. It

had to be stopped before she made a fool of herself. Marshaling her wits, she bit down hard on Robin's tongue. He yelped and thrust her aside so abruptly she

nearly fell, finally managing to right herself and slant him a satisfied smile. "Bloody hell, Kate, you do try a man! Haven't you ever been kissed before?" "Not like that and certainly not by a convict," Kate declared with a toss of her

ebony curls. "From now on please keep your hands to yourself and your remarks

confined to business concerning your duties." She whirled and flounced off in

angry indignation. Robin watched her leave, his mouth taut, his eyes as cold as shards of blue ice.

But despite his anger he couldn't help but admire her. So proud, so haughty, so so

damn infuriating! All he had to do was look into the mesmerizing pools of her

violet eyes and he forgot everything but how much he'd like to see those eyes

turn dark with passion. Passion for him and all the wonderful things he'd like to

do to her and with her. Kate had no idea how very beautiful she was. That she

had remained unmarried this long was a mystery, unless one took into

consideration her sharp tongue. Her body was made for loving. A long-in-the-

tooth virgin, he thought, chuckling to himself. Suddenly Robin's laughter died. Was Kate McKenzie a virgin? Had no man

moved her enough in her twenty-six years to make a woman of her? His

thoughts took him onto dangerous ground, and he shook his head to clear it. Any

man who was brave enough to make love to Miss Kathryn Molly McKenzie took

his chances on being unmanned. She would probably demand equal time and

want to call the shots. Come to think of it, that wouldn't be all bad, Robin

decided, shaking his head as he pictured all the ways Kate would want him to

love her. Several days later Kate had another visitor, this one quite unexpected. During

that time she had spoken to Robin only briefly concerning his duties, allowing

nothing of a personal nature. He'd been up to see William a time or two, but Kate

kept her father's visitors strictly regulated, determined to follow the doctor's

orders concerning stress. Robin was nowhere in sight when a man riding a fine-

looking horse entered the yard. He dismounted, tossed the reins around the porch

railing, and approached the front door. Kate answered the door on the third

knock. She was somewhat startled to find a stranger standing on her doorstep. In his mid-thirties, he was tall and slender with brown hair, light blue eyes, and a

slim mustache gracing his upper lip. He was rather pleasant looking, though not

as ruggedly handsome as Robin. He greeted Kate with a warm smile. "I'm Ronald Potter. We're almost neighbors. I came to pay my respects. I knew

your uncle quite well and was sorry to hear of his death. He never quite got over

his daughter's tragic death." "Won't you come in, Mr. Potter," Kate invited, opening the door so Potter could

step inside. "Father is sleeping right now but he'll awaken soon and I know he'll

want to see you." She led the way into the parlor. Potter waited politely until she

was seated, then took a seat opposite her. "You say we are neighbors?" Kate asked conversationally. "In a manner of speaking. After the 102nd Regiment was disbanded I bought

land and settled on the Hawkesbury." "You were in the Rum Corps?" Kate asked, recognizing the name. "Yes indeed." Potter's chest puffed up, pleased that Kate had recognized the

name. "What made you settle in New South Wales?" "It's a land of opportunity," Potter said slyly. "I was able to buy a prime piece of

land on the Hawkesbury and felt it was time I settled down." "You should have brought your wife to visit, Mr. Potter." "I have no wife, Miss McKenzie, but I'd certainly not be averse to taking one

should I find someone who pleases me." His eyes told Kate he found her

eminently pleasing. "I've bought more land in addition to my original purchase

of Fletcher station and hope to expand until I own one of the largest sheep

stations in New South Wales." "Fletcher station?" Kate asked sharply. "Did I hear you right? Are you referring

to Robin Fletcher?" "Aye, your station boss. His land was confiscated when he was convicted of

aiding an escaped convict. I bought the station. I hope the man isn't giving you

problems. Watch out for him, Miss McKenzie. Robin Fletcher is a

troublemaker." 'Til try to remember, Mr. Potter." "Please let me know if you have any trouble with Fletcher. I carry a lot of clout

in the territory and I can have his 'ticket of leave' revoked. Who knows, maybe I

can get him sent back to the coal mines." His smile was so cold, so utterly

devoid of warmth, Kate shuddered. "It appears you hold no love for Robin Fletcher," Kate probed innocently. "The man is a convict, and I try to have as little to do with convicts as possible.

Now Governor Macquarie wants to appoint time-expired convicts as magistrates.

It's a grave mistake, if you ask me. There should be two societies in New South

Wales. One for settlers and one for ex-convicts, and never the twain shall meet." "You have strong feelings concerning convicts, Mr. Potter. What about people

like Dare Penrod's wife, Casey? Surely there are many like her who have

become useful citizens and cause no further trouble." "Casey O'Cain," Potter said bitterly. The name invoked a multitude of memories,

most of them bad. "I could tell you much about Casey. I knew her even before

she went to Penrod station as a servant. She killed a man in cold blood, did you

know that? Dare Penrod couldn't keep his hands off her, not even when he

married Thad's daughter. It's no secret that their son was conceived while Dare

was married to Mercy McKenzie. Casey was nothing but a whore. She tried to

seduce me as well as every other man she came in contact with. She slept with

all the Penrod men. She even seduced Robin Fletcher. Ask him. I'm sure he'll not

deny they were lovers." What Ronald Potter didn't say was that he'd tried his damnedest to keep Dare

and Casey apart. He had been instrumental in having Robin sent to the coal

mines. He nearly raped Casey and would have if the Penrods hadn't arrived at a

most propitious moment. Vindictive, mean, and vicious, Ronald Potter had never

forgiven Casey or the Penrods for foiling his plans. But the "Rum Corps" had made him rich, and one day he'd find a way to claim revenge. Kate was stunned. It seemed as if Casey's crimes were common knowledge, as

well as the relationship between her and Robin. Yet both Robin and Casey

claimed they were merely friends. Whom was she to believe? Suddenly the front

door was flung open and Robin stomped into the room. His eyes were wild as

they searched the room and found Potter. "What in the hell are you doing here, Potter?" "Are you screening Miss McKenzie's visitors?" Potter asked snidely. "If you

must know, I've come to pay my respects. We're neighbors, you know." "How could I forget? You bought my land for a pittance after it was stolen from

me. I suggest you leave." "Robin!" Kate gasped, shocked by his audacity. "This is my house, you have no

right to treat Mr. Potter in so despicable a manner." "You don't know the man, Kate. You don't know what he's capable of or how his

mind works." "Kate?" Potter repeated, looking at Kate with a new boldness. "You let a convict

address you in such a familiar manner?" "I allow nothing," Kate bit out, wishing Potter would leave. "Robin does as he

pleases. Father seems to trust him, and I trust Father's judgment. Perhaps Father

is awake now, Mr. Potter. If you'll wait here, I'll see if he's up to company." She

sent Robin a fulminating glance, then left the room. "Keep away from Kate, Potter," Robin rounded on him the moment Kate was

gone. "I won't have you corrupting her." "Any fool can see she's past the age where protection is required." Potter smiled

derisively. "Are you telling me she's an innocent? Remarkable, given her age.

Besides, who appointed you her guardian? I heard her father is ill and unlikely to

recover. Miss McKenzie will need someone to guide her once her father is gone.

Why not me?" "Because you're the last person in the world Kate needs advice from. Any advice

you give her will benefit only yourself. I haven't forgotten how you treated

Casey or those long months I spent toiling in the coal mines." "Still protective of Casey O'Cain, are you? I always knew she was a whore." The words were barely out of Potter's mouth before Robin reacted. Hauling

Potter out of the chair, Robin let loose a left jab that sent Potter reeling. Robin's

fist reared back and would have struck again if Kate hadn't come rushing into the

room and stopped him. "Robin! Stop! How dare you attack my guest? Mr. Potter has done nothing to

warrant such treatment. He's been courteous and charming. I won't blame him if

he never comes back after this. What makes you my keeper? I'm perfectly

capable of taking care of myself and choosing my own company. Please leave." Her words were like a dash of cold water, and Robin reluctantly released Potter.

"All I can say is that you have poor taste, Kate," Robin said sourly. "If you don't

believe me, ask Dare. Or Casey. They can tell you volumes about Lieutenant

Ronald Potter. None of it good." Whirling on his heel, he slammed out of the

room. "I'm sorry, Mr. Potter," Kate apologized. "You must think me a poor hostess. I'll

hope you'll not hold Robin's outburst against me. Robin makes his own rules." "I'd feel much better if you called me Ronald. And I shall call you Kate. We are

neighbors, after all." "If you'd like, Ronald. Father is awake now and would be happy to see you.

Don't stay too long, he's very weak." "Of course, Kate, my visit will be short." "How dare you, Robin Fletcher! How dare you accost my company? Do you

think I'm a child that needs protecting?" Immediately after Potter left, Kate went

in search of Robin, determined to vent her spleen on him. "Is he gone?" Robin asked lazily. Kate had finally found him in the stables,

grateful that she'd be able to confront him in relative privacy. "He's gone, but I'm sure he'll come back. He seems a pleasant enough man." "You're a terrible judge of character, Kate," Robin challenged. In order to blow off steam that had been building since he'd seen Potter, Robin

grabbed a pitchfork and began pitching hay into the stalls. Kate couldn't take her

eyes off his bulging biceps slick with sweat or the thick ropy muscles of his

thighs bulging beneath his moleskin trousers. For a breathless moment her eyes

strayed to dangerous territory, then when she realized she was staring at the

bulge where his legs met, her eyes shot upward. Robin saw where she was

looking and chuckled. So the high and mighty Miss Kate McKenzie wasn't as

unmoved by him as she thought, he grinned with devilish amusement. For the life of her, Kate couldn't remember what Robin had said. "What? What

did you say?" "I said you shouldn't stare at a man like that. It's likely to get you in trouble."

Flame touched Kate's cheeks. II wasn't staring. I was merely uh." "Come here, Kate." "No." "I said come here." Kate was shocked when her legs obeyed. They carried her to within mere inches

of Robin. She could smell the sweet, masculine odor of sweat and hay and

horses, and a scent that was his alone. Instinct told her it was the musky scent of

male arousal, and she wasn't immune to it. "I'm going to kiss you, Kate." "No." "Then I'm going to put my hands on you. On your breasts they're lovely, you

know. Full and round and sweetly curved. I'll bet your nipples are "My God, you're you're outrageous! Why are you doing this to me? If you're trying 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 me," Kate refuted in stubborn denial. "Shut up, Kate, so I can kiss you." Abruptly her mouth closed, and Robin took advantage of the silence as his

mouth came down hard on hers. His kiss was challenging, daring her to resist,

begging her to respond. Against her will, she succumbed to the forceful

domination of his lips, allowing his tongue to invade the sweet warmth of her

mouth. His kiss sang through her veins, and Kate wondered briefly if she'd ever

been truly alive before. Her lips burned like fire, her stomach twisted into a wild

swirl, and her knees felt like jelly. She hated it. She hated the way Robin Fletcher made her feel. When his lips left her mouth to press gentle breathless kisses into the softness of

her neck, Kate breathed a sigh of relief, suddenly able to think again. Then his

hands found her breasts, doing all the things he'd told her he'd do, fondling,

molding, rolling the nipples between finger and thumb. It felt so good, Kate

knew she had to either hit Robin or demand more. She chose to hit him.

Doubling her fist, she pulled back and let it fly into his gut. "Whoooosh! Bloody hell, Kate, why did you do that when you know you were

enjoying it?" "Do you think I enjoy being mauled by a convict?" Kate screamed, thoroughly

shaken. "If Father didn't need you so badly, I'd insist you be sent back to the coal

mines." Robin's eyes narrowed dangerously. "What do you know about the coal mines?" "I know that Ronald sent you there for committing a crime after you were

pardoned. Ronald said if you proved troublesome he'd see that you were sent

back." "Ronald, is it. You've grown chummy in a short time. I don't know why I bother trying to protect you. Why do you insist on believing someone like Potter when

you have only to ask Dare or Casey for the truth?" "Perhaps I will ask them," Kate returned shortly, "although Ronald told me

things about Casey that were far from flattering." "I'll bet. Did you believe him?" "II don't know what to believe." Suddenly Robin's eyes drifted beyond Kate to the doorway, and Kate whirled to

see what he was staring at. The figure of a woman stood framed in the opening,

the sun at her back outlining the generous curves of her figure. It was Lizzy. She

was staring at Kate and Robin in a peculiar manner. With a start Kate realized

she was standing so close to Robin their bodies were touching. Cursing beneath

her breath, she stepped back, but it was too late; Lizzy had already drawn

conclusions. "Were you looking for me, Lizzy?" "Aye, your father wants you, mistress," Lizzy

said, shifting her gaze to Robin. Kate nodded and started forward, brushing past Lizzy and out the door. When

she glanced back she saw that Lizzy had sidled next to Robin, smiling up at him

in a most beguiling manner. Kate snorted derisively. What did she care? Women

could fall all over Robin Fletcher for all of her. Days passed and still William McKenzie clung to life with a tenacity that

surprised Dr. Proctor. After his first visit he could have sworn William wouldn't

last a week. But days later William was still hanging onto the fragile thread of

life, fighting death with a stubbornness that his daughter had inherited. Dr. Dan

had been a frequent visitor to McKenzie station, and it wasn't just because of

William. He liked Kate and enjoyed her company. Dr. Dan wasn't Kate's only visitor during that time. Ronald Potter showed up

more often than Robin would have liked. But since Kate had soundly berated

him for insulting her company, he conveniently disappeared whenever Potter

arrived. Since that day in the stables Robin steered clear of Kate. Deciding he

needed a woman to stop him from thinking of Kate, he visited Serena twice. But each time he couldn't bring himself to make love to her. Nor could he stop his

mind from picturing Kate spread beneath him, her incredible eyes glazed with

passion, her ebony hair spread around her like a halo. Bloody hell, was he mad?

Kate wasn't for him. They couldn't stand each other. Two minutes in each other's

company and they were at one another's throats. If Kate thought of him at all it

was with revulsion. One day Dare showed up, his face wreathed in smiles. He made directly for

Robin, waving a paper in his hand. "It's here, Robin! Your pardon. You're a free

man." Dare's mood was jubilant and he slapped Robin on the back until Robin

nearly lost his breath. Reverently Robin took the document from Dare's hand and read it slowly and

thoroughly. He had waited for it so long it seemed like a miracle. Free! Free at

last. No longer could Kate call him a convict. No longer could she look down

her nose at him. God, it felt good. Words of gratitude tumbled from his lips, but

Dare refused to hear them. "No one is more deserving of freedom than you are, Robin," Dare said, grinning

from ear to ear. "I must tell William. He'll be as pleased as I am at your newly

acquired freedom, though I doubt not he'll be unhappy if you leave his employ.

He is still in desperate need of your services." "Aye, William does need me even though his daughter thinks otherwise." "Still at loggerheads with Kate?" Dare teased. "I thought by now you'd have her

eating out of your hand." "If I offered that contrary female my hand she'd bite it," Robin grumbled sourly. "Tell her of your pardon, Robin. Perhaps she'll change her attitude." "I'm the same man whether I'm free or not," Robin said. "A piece of paper won't

change me, nor will it change how Kate feels about me. Besides, mate, it matters little to me what Miss Kathryn Molly McKenzie thinks

of me." Dare eyed him shrewdly. "Perhaps Miss Kathryn Molly McKenzie is more woman than you give her credit for. Perhaps she's more woman than Serena

Lynch."