Chapter 5 A Journey to Freedom and Love

It took Robin several days to come to the realization that he was truly and finally

a free man. He had but to go to Sydney to receive his pardon from Governor

Macquarie and select his thirty-acre land grant. He chose a track of land near

Parramatta that had limited access to the Hawkesbury, but by this time land was

becoming scarce, due to speculators who bought up prime property and time-

expired convicts who were given their thirty acres as dictated by law. When he

got back from Sydney it was immensely comforting to confront Kate on an equal

footing, which Robin did almost immediately upon his return to McKenzie

station.

Robin found Kate in the kitchen giving instructions to Maude about William's

lunch. The poor man barely touched his food these days and seemed to be

growing weaker by the hour.

"Kate, I'd like to speak with you a moment, in private," Robin added, seeing the

interested look on Maude's face.

Kate frowned, but followed Robin to the small room off the parlor set aside for

an office. "Is there something you'd like to discuss with me, Robin?"

Kate knew what Robin wanted; he was going to tell her he was leaving to settle

on his own land. She couldn't blame him, and even welcomed the news. She had

congratulated him briefly on his newly acquired status but other than that had

kept her distance. Her temper had a way of exploding whenever she was with

Robin Fletcher. He was the most outrageous, exasperating man she'd ever met.

No other man had the ability to scramble her brains and turn her insides to mush,

and she hated the feeling. Besides, she felt perfectly capable of running the farm

without outside help.

"I just wanted you to know I won't leave you and your father stranded until I find

someone capable to take my place."

"That won't be necessary. I know what has to be done. I'm also aware of how

anxious you are to settle down on your own land. Please feel free to leave

whenever you wish."

"I'm thinking of your father, Kate. It would cause him much anguish to leave you

in charge, and you know what the doctor said about stress. I know how you feel

about me, but I won't leave your father in a bind."

"How thoughtful of you," Kate mocked. "Do you have anyone in mind?"

"Yes, that's why I'm here. I want you to accompany me to Parramatta. I've heard

of a 'ticket of leave' man looking for work. I thought you might like to interview

him before asking him to come out to talk with William."

Kate thought about that for a moment and decided she had nothing to lose. She

knew as long as her father lived he'd insist on a competent station boss. "When

will you leave?"

"Can you be ready in an hour?"

"Of course. Father will sleep most the afternoon, and I should go to Parramatta

for supplies anyway."

Robin nodded. "I'll hitch the dray and wait outside. Wear a bonnet. December is

one of our hottest months and the sun is brutal."

An hour later Robin boosted Kate onto the unsprung wagon seat and hopped into

the driver's seat beside her. He slapped the reins on the backs of the two

lumbering bullocks and they plodded forward. It took nearly two hours over

mtted track to reach the thriving city of Parramatta. More and more businesses

were cropping up in Parramatta and capitalists had moved into town, expanding

the growing economy, which now boasted a doctor, a bank, and many stores

selling goods necessary for survival.

"Do your shopping, Kate," Robin instructed, "while I find our man. I heard he's

working in one of the stores. If I'm not back by the time you finish, wait for me

in the dray."

Robin lifted her down from her high perch, but even before his hands left her

waist a woman came rushing from one of the stores, calling Robin's name. She

threw herself into Robin's arms, nearly bowling Kate over in the process. She

was small and voluptuous with clouds of silver-blond hair floating around her

exquisite face. China blue eyes as big as saucers smiled up at Robin as she

greeted him with an enthusiasm that left a bad taste in Kate's mouth.

"Robin, we've heard your good news! No one is more deserving of freedom than

you." To lend emphasis to her words she stood on tiptoes and planted an

exuberant kiss on Robin's lips.

Robin laughed, grasping her waist and twirling her about, sending her skirts

flying about her shapely ankles. Kate thought the display revolting.

"It is quite wonderful, isn't it, Serena," Robin concurred happily.

"What are your plans?" Serena hinted slyly. "I've been hoping they include me."

Robin's face gave away nothing of his thoughts and whether or not his future

included Serena Lynch. A few short weeks ago he had been ready to propose to

Serena the moment his pardon was granted. With her dowry he proposed to buy

land from ex-convicts who had been given land grants and then fallen deeply in

debt. When they were forced to sell, most of that land went directly into the

hands of capitalists, but Robin intended to snare a portion of it for himself. He

still wanted land, but since meeting Kate, Serena no longer seemed as appealing.

Serena was so lovely, it wasn't as if Robin were her only chance at marriage. No

indeed, Serena wouldn't be long without male companionship. In fact, Robin was

certain he wasn't the only man Serena was seeing. She wasn't the type to sever

relationships until she was certain they would no longer be useful.

"I haven't decided yet what I'm going to do or how soon I'll settle on my own

land," Robin explained. "I've saved most of my wages so I'll be able to build a

fine house. But I can't possibly leave McKenzie station until I find a

replacement. William McKenzie is gravely ill, and I won't leave him in a bind."

For the first time since she'd approached Robin, Serena turned the intensity of

her blue gaze to Kate. Nothing she saw seemed to impress her.

"Serena, this is Kate McKenzie. Kate, meet Serena Lynch. Serena's father owns

the bank."

Kate gritted her teeth in annoyance. What must she do to impress upon Robin

that her name was Kathryn? "Pleased to meet you, Serena."

"Are you the wife of the new owner of McKenzie station?" Serena asked.

"No, I'm his daughter."

"Daughter! His single daughter?" Serena stressed. The inflection in her voice

told Kate exactly what Serena thought about a woman still unmarried at her

advanced age no matter how lovely she might be.

A strange noise was coming from Robin, and Kate whirled to stare at him,

suddenly aware that he was chuckling. She scowled at him fiercely, but it only

made his eyes dance with amusement.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Serena, but I am unmarried and quite happy with

my present state.

Now if you will excuse me, I have shopping to do." Her lips pursed thoughtfully,

Serena watched Kate walk away.

"Ugh, what an unpleasant woman," she said, promptly relegating Kate to the

realm of spinsterhood. '"Tis no wonder the woman never married, she's as plain

as an old shoe."

Plain? Kate? Somehow Robin never thought of Kate as plain. And he could

personally attest to the fact that she was all woman, soft in all the right places

and wonderfully fashioned.

"Did you come to town to see me, Robin?" Serena asked coyly. "No one is home

right now and we could be alone." Her eyes promised delights Robin was well

aware of, having sampled the ample charms of Serena Lynch often enough in the

past.

Though not yet twenty, Serena Lynch knew all about pleasuring a man. From the

first time they made love, Robin knew she wasn't a virgin, but was too much of a

gentleman to mention it. It really didn't matter how Serena lost her virginity, for

he was no innocent either. Dare had warned him that Serena was often seen with

other men, and snippets of gossip were bandied about concerning the beautiful

blond. But Robin preferred to think that the gossip was merely the result of

rejected suitors. Not that Robin held any false expectations concerning Serena.

She was a flirt, knew how to please a man in ways he'd never taught her, and

probably would only remain faithful as long as Robin kept her home and

pregnant. He had no idea why she wanted him.

"I'd like nothing better than to spend time alone with you, Serena." Lies all lies.

"But I have business in town. I promised William McKenzie I'd find someone to

replace me. And Kate is depending on me to get her back home before dark. You

know how dangerous the road is after dark."

Serena peered at Robin through incredibly long lashes, aware of the potent

message she was conveying. Only this time it didn't appear to be working. Robin

seemed preoccupied, glancing several times in the direction in which Kate had

just disappeared. A totally preposterous thought popped into Serena's head. She

promptly dismissed it. It was too ludicrous to think that Robin was interested in

a dried-up old spinster when she, Serena, was more than willing to grant his

every desire. There were other men Serena could have, but, perversely, she

wanted Robin. He was a wonderful lover, always generous in his desire to please

her, handsome and virile. It had mattered little that Robin was a convict, for she

knew that his influential friends, the Penrods, had petitioned the governor in his

behalf and a pardon would eventually be granted.

"Will you come visit me soon, Robin?" Serena asked, clearly disappointed.

"We've been seeing a lot of each other lately, and Papa likes you. I would

seriously consider a proposal from you if one were offered."

Marriage to Serena? Suddenly the prospect sounded dismal. Perhaps Dare was

right. Perhaps he wasn't thinking clearly. Dare had generously offered to lend

him the money he needed, and Robin knew Dare was sincere in his offer. Robin

fully intended to take a wife one day, but he wasn't sure Serena was the woman

he wanted.

"I'll try, Serena," Robin promised halfheartedly. She looked at him hopefully,

expecting more. "As for offering for you, we'll talk about that later." It was a

lame excuse but it would have to suffice.

"Make it soon, Robin, make it soon." Then she pressed herself up against him

and kissed him soundly on the lips. "That's so you'll know what my answer will

be when we finally discuss your 'plans.'"

Kate happened to glance out the store window when Serena was kissing Robin

and she snorted in disgust. The little hussy, Kate thought uncharitably. Doesn't

she know what a spectacle she is making of herself? How could Robin want a

woman so lacking in control? A thought came unbidden to her mind. Perhaps,

since Robin couldn't have Casey Penrod, he had settled for Serena.

"I found the man I was looking for," Robin said when he met Kate back at the

dray a short time later. "His name is Gil Bennett. Here he comes now."

Kate turned and watched as a short, stocky man with thinning hair approached

the dray. The moment she set eyes on him, she knew she didn't like him. His

eyes were shifty, refusing to look at her straight on, and his lip curled in a way

that made her skin crawl. He also swaggered when he walked.

"You Miss McKenzie?" he asked, raking Kate from head to toe in a manner that

suggested contempt for the female sex in general. "Fletcher said ya needed a

station boss."

"Perhaps," Kate hedged, slanting a glance at Robin to see if he concurred in her

opinion of Gil Bennett. He did. "Where did you work last?"

Bennett hesitated for a moment, then said, "I was station boss over at Parton

station for a spell."

Suddenly bells rang in Robin's head. Parton station. There was gossip just

recently of the Partons' daughter and one of the convict laborers. The man had

seduced the young girl, then when the girl became pregnant he tried to abort her

and she bled to death. Since the girl hadn't lived to name the guilty party, the

man had remained unknown. Could Bennett be the man who had cruelly snuffed

out a young girl's life? Could Robin take the chance of allowing someone like

that around Kate? The answer came quickly.

"I don't think you're the man the McKenzies are looking for," Robin said. Kate

breathed a sigh of relief. If Robin hadn't come out and said it, she would have.

Instinctively Bennett knew Robin had heard the gossip concerning Betsy Parton.

"Listen, Fletcher, I need the work," Bennett whined. "I'm not the man

responsible for what happened to Parton's daughter."

Kate had no idea what Bennett was referring to but she voiced her own opinion.

"Robin is right, Mr. Bennett. I don't believe you'll do."

Bennett's face grew red and his eyes narrowed dangerously. "Ain't I good enough

for ya? Perhaps you want a handsome bloke like Fletcher who will lift yer skirts

for ya whenever ya get an itch. If that's what it takes, I'm yer man. I ain't had no

complaints yet."

Kate gasped, sidling closer to Robin. The man was crazed.

"Get out of here, Bennett. You heard Miss McKenzie. You may or may not be

responsible for killing Parton's daughter, but I don't want you anywhere near

Miss McKenzie."

"I heard old man McKenzie is like to die any day now," Bennett snarled. "There

ain't a man alive willin' to take orders from a woman. She'll need someone like

me to keep the convicts in line."

"I disagree. Most of the convicts working at McKenzie station aren't

troublemakers," Robin contended. "Besides, our minds are made up. We don't

need you at McKenzie station."

"Can't the woman speak for herself?"

"I agree wholeheartedly," Kate said.

"Damn uppity bitch," Bennett grumbled, turning away. "She'll get her

comeuppance one day."

"What was that all about?" Kate asked once the man had stomped off down the

street in a huff. "I don't understand what you were saying about the Parton's."

"I'll tell you on the way home. Are you ready to leave?"

"More than ready," Kate said.

Kate shuddered. "What a despicable man! That poor girl." They were on their

way back to McKenzie station and Robin had just told Kate what had happened

at Parton station and why he didn't trust Bennett.

"Nothing has ever been proved against him, Kate, but I don't think we should

take that risk. Had I known he worked for the Partons I never would have

suggested you talk to him."

"I didn't know men like that existed."

"This is a convict colony. Men like Gil Bennett are more common here than

honest men. But not all convicts are like Bennett; some have been transported

for crimes barely worth mentioning," Robin explained. "Take Maude, for

instance. Her crime was stealing a loaf of bread to feed her dying husband. Lizzy

was convicted of prostitution. Not everyone is a pickpocket, thief, rapist, or

killer."

"What about you, Robin?" Kate asked with slow deliberation. "What was your

crime?"

"Does it matter? Can't you judge me on the kind of man I am instead of on the

nature of my crime? Perhaps my years as a convict have changed me. Perhaps

I'm not the same man I was when I arrived in New South Wales."

Annoyed, Kate retorted, "Maybe I'm just trying to understand you, Robin.

"I defy understanding, Kate. I meant it when I said my years as a convict have

changed me. I was young when I arrived, too trusting, and much too easygoing.

Experience has taught me to trust no one, except perhaps the Penrods. I no

longer take the simple pleasures of life for granted or look for the inherent good

in people. I've learned to be hard and tough and yes, dammit, even ruthless."

Kate sucked her breath in sharply, seeing a Robin she never knew existed. She'd

already discovered he was harsh and demanding, but what she never suspected

was how badly life had treated him and how deeply it had affected him. For a

brief moment she had a glimpse into the inner man, and it frightened her. Yet

there were times she had pierced that tough facade and discovered quite another

man. Which was the real Robin Fletcher? Not that it mattered. Robin would be

gone soon and her life would once again be free of male arrogance.

Kate fell silent, content for the moment to savor the unique scenery and absolute

serenity of the forest. She was able to recognize many different varieties of trees

now. Black wattle that produced pods, the bottle tree, resembling bottles with

trunks that grew seven feet in diameter, the grass tree, gray mangrove, she-oak

with its needle like branchlets that served as leaves, and of course the stringy

bark eucalyptus. Every now and then a wallaby burst from the bush and crossed

their path. So engrossed was Kate in the intriguing Australian scenery that she

didn't realize Robin had stopped the dray.

"Don't be alarmed, Kate."

"What!" She looked up at Robin, startled by the intense look on his face. "What

is it?"

"Bushrangers. It appears as if we're going to be victims of a bail-up." He said it

so calmly, Kate wasn't certain whether to believe him.

Then Kate saw them. Five men, all armed with makeshift weapons ranging from

thick clubs to knives, had appeared as if by magic from the forest and now stood

before them. "Dear God."

"Don't panic and let me do the talking," Robin hissed. "I understand these men,

their desperation, their hopelessness."

Kate gulped noisily, attempting to swallow the fear rising in her throat.

"Well, mates, what 'ave we here?" one of the men called out. He looked

pointedly at Kate, his lip curled in a sneer. "Looks like we 'ave us a good time

tonight."

Robin cursed the fact that he had no weapon as he wondered how in the world he

was going to get Kate out of this mess.

One of the men came close to the side of the dray, reaching out for Kate. She

screamed and Robin kicked out, knocking him away with his booted foot.

Suddenly all five men rushed the wagon, and though Robin fought valiantly, he

was soon overpowered and dragged to the ground. Held securely by one of the

bushrangers, Kate was mute with terror as she watched Robin being struck

down. Men were surging into the bed of the dray now, rummaging through all

the supplies Kate had purchased in Parramatta.

"Take everything and let us go," Robin panted as he tried to rise to his feet but

failed. "At least let the lady go. Don't you realize I'm a convict myself and you're

attacking one of your own?"

"You ain't one of us, mate. If ya are a convict yer a 'ticket of leave' man and the

next thing to free. We'll never be free. We takes our food and our women where

we finds 'em."

"Aye," chorused his mates, ogling Kate lewdly.

Kate cringed, her eyes wild with panic. She knew these depraved men intended

to kill Robin, then rape and kill her. She looked around, desperately searching

for help she knew was nonexistent.

Then she saw him.

He came crashing out of the forest, a giant with a chest as wide and immovable

as a wall, immense shoulders, and bull-like neck. He was bearded, and both his

facial hair and exposed body parts were covered in rust-colored hair. His legs

were as sturdy as oaks and his arms corded and bulging with muscles. The sight

of him rendered Kate speechless and she would have fainted on the spot if Robin

hadn't picked that moment to chuckle aloud. Bug-eyed, Kate stared at Robin as if

he had lost his mind, thinking him crazed to laugh at the towering giant, a man

who could easily crush him in one hand.

"'Tis Big John," one of the men shouted out. "Come see what we found, mate."

"Aye, Artie, 'tis Robin Fletcher and a lass. But I'm thinkin' you've made a

mistake this time." There wasn't a man in New South Wales who had lived there

in Governor Bligh's time that didn't know of Robin Fletcher, the Penrods, and

Casey O'Cain. "Let Fletcher up." The other men obeyed instantly. No one argued

with Big John.

Big John offered a huge gnarled hand and Robin grasped it gratefully, struggling

painfully to his feet. He was bruised and aching in places he hadn't known

existed. Since he'd left the coal mines, Robin had met Big John on several

occasions. The towering giant seemed to appear from nowhere when one least

expected him.

"Who's the lass?" Big John asked, jerking a thumb toward Kate, who by now

was well past hysteria and just plain numb.

"Kate McKenzie," Robin informed him. "Her father is the new owner of

McKenzie station. She's also my boss."

For some reason that remark brought a collective guffaw from the bushrangers.

"McKenzie," Big John said, his brow wrinkling in concentration. Suddenly his

brow cleared. "You mean she's related to the woman who tried to do Casey in?"

"Kate isn't like Mercy," Robin assured him.

"You say the lass is yer boss?"

"Aye. Her father is too ill to see to business, so Kate runs the station with my

help."

"Is she yer woman?"

"Aye," Robin lied, ignoring Kate's gasp of protest.

"I hear you've been pardoned," Big John said.

"Aye," Robin grinned. "Free as a bird."

"I wish ya luck, Robin Fletcher. With yer freedom and with yer woman. By the

looks of her you'll have yer hands full." Big John's booming laugh reverberated

through the surrounding forest, jerking Kate from her frozen state.

"I am not"

"Be quiet, Kate," Robin hissed sharply. "For once do as I say." To Big John, he

said, "Are we free to go?"

"No harm will come to you and yer woman, Robin Fletcher."

Robin nodded. "Take the supplies, Big John. We can get others."

"Now wait a minute," Kate began. Her angry tirade was brought to a skidding

halt by Robin's warning glance.

Big John motioned to his friends, and together they managed to carry away

everything Kate had purchased that day. Fuming in impotent anger, she forced

herself to stand helplessly aside while the bushrangers stole everything of value

and melted back into the forest. Big John was the last to leave.

"How fares Casey?" he asked. Kate was startled by the tender look on the big

giant's face. Did everyone love Casey Penrod?

"She and Dare are as much in love as the first day they met," Robin said. "They

have two children now."

Did his voice hold a note of sorrow? Kate wondered. Was there a hint of sadness

in his eyes?

"Tell her Big John sends his regards. Tell her if she ever has need of him, he'll

come." Then he turned and was soon lost in the shadow of a tall eucalyptus.

"Climb in the wagon, Kate. Let's get out of here. I don't trust one of those men

without Big John to control them."

Kate needed no further urging, and soon they were plodding down the track as

fast as the bullocks would go.

"What did Big John mean when he said Cousin Mercy meant Casey harm?" Kate

asked. "Uncle That never mentioned anything about that."

"It's not my place to tell you, Kate. If Casey wanted you to know she would have

told you."

Kate chewed on that for a while, then said, "I fear there is much I don't

understand, and I fully intend to get to the bottom of it one day."

Robin didn't respond, and a few minutes later they were home. "See to your

father while I unhitch the dray. I'll be up in a few minutes and explain why we're

so late. I don't want to alarm him, but he should be told of the danger that exists

in a convict colony."

A short time later Robin entered William's room. The poor man looked sicker

with each passing day, if that was possible. His skin was sallow, his eyes sunken

into their sockets, and his cheeks hollow and gaunt. Kate was bending over him,

fluffing his pillow and gently reprimanding him for not eating the tray of

tempting food Maude had prepared for him.

"Leave off, Kate," William said wearily. "You're late, I expected you back hours

ago." Then he saw Robin and bade him enter. "Come in, Robin. Did you find the

man you were looking for?"

"Aye, but he wasn't what I expected. We'll find another."

William sighed. "Are you so set on leaving, then?"

"Eventually I must, William." Robin glanced at Kate, then said, "Did you tell

him about the trouble we had on the road?"

"No, perhaps"

"What kind of trouble?" William asked, his interest clearly aroused.

"I want William to know the dangers that exist for a woman in a convict colony,

Kate," Robin persisted. "When I'm gone you can't be wandering off by yourself.

We were waylaid by bushrangers, William. We lost our supplies but luckily

escaped with our lives."

"Bushrangers!" William's face grew red with alarm the first color he'd shown in

weeks. "What happened?"

Robin told a terse version of the bail-up.

"Thank God for Big John. It seems that you and the Penrods have some useful

friends." Then he turned to Kate. "You're not to go out on your own, daughter.

What happened today only reinforces my belief that you simply cannot manage

here alone after I'm gone."

"You're going to get well, Father"

"Kate, Kate, face reality, I'm never going to get well. It's a miracle that I'm still

alive. Leave us, daughter, I want to speak to Robin privately."

"Must you?"

"Aye, be a good girl and do as I say. Just keep in mind I'd never do anything to

hurt you."

His strange choice of words caused a frisson of apprehension to race along

Kate's spine. But not wanting to cause her father further distress, she quietly left

the room, tossing an angry glance at Robin as she shut the door. If he hadn't

insisted on telling Father about the bail-up, William wouldn't have been so upset.

"I thank you for telling me what happened today, Robin," William said. "Kate is

precious to me. I want her to be safe always, even after I'm gone." He looked at

Robin squarely, wanting no misunderstanding concerning his next words. "I've

been giving the situation considerable thought and after much soul-searching I've

come to a decision.

"You're a good man, Robin, a damn good man. I'd trust you with my property

and with my daughter. Kate needs someone, someone who can handle her. I

believe, given the right man, she'll make a wonderful wife and mother."

Robin held his breath. He knew. He knew what was coming, and he didn't like it.

William had no right to ask.

"I want McKenzie station to be yours after I'm gone, Robin. I'm asking you to

marry Kate."