Fiery Possession Read Online Free Page A

uphold the law.”
    “The only laws he upholds are for Campton and his kind.”
    “It isn't fair!  There must be something you can do.”
    “Leave it alone or you'll make things worse for us.  We're small farmers, remember, second class citizens.” His mouth twisted with bitterness.
    His bleak tone cut off the tirade she nearly uttered. Ian had changed almost beyond recognition. He had never been a strong man, but this hopelessness frightened her.
    At the side of the police station, a boy wielded a broom with such energy it brought up clouds of choking dust.
    “How are things, Benny?” Ian asked. “This is my sister Jo.”
    When the boy glanced up, she gasped with a shock. He was a middle-aged dwarf. “I’m very pleased to meet you, Benny.” She smiled. “You're doing a fine job there.”
    “Good job, good job.” He gave a slobbering grin. Was he mentally retarded as well?  Poor man, pity surged through her.
    “Got a dog, got a dog,” he chanted in a sing-song voice. “Mr. Campton got me a dog.”
    “That's good, keeping you busy, are they?” Ian asked.
    “Busy, busy.”  He chortled. “Benny always busy. Wanna see my dog, pretty lady?”
    “Not today, thanks, we're in a hurry, but we would love to see him another time, wouldn't we, Ian?”
    “Benny like, Benny like.”
    She waved to him as they walked away. “Oh, the poor little man.”
    “He's happy enough in his own way. Most people are good to him. They give him a bit of casual work here and there. Campton paid for someone to build him a hut in the doctor’s backyard, and I heard that he gives him money from time to time.”
    So, Campton at least had a spark of kindness. “You have a doctor?”
    “Yes.” He gave a wry grin. “Not a bad sort, when he’s sober, that is.”
    “The doctor drinks?” She gave a little jump and held her skirts up as she crossed the culvert, not waiting for brother’s help her.
    “Has binges every now and again, gets absolutely insensible. He was a top surgeon in the Crimean war, before going, well, you know.”
    “I wonder if he knew the lady with the lamp?” She wrapped her fingers around Ian’s arm as they crossed the road.
    “You mean Florence Nightingale?”
    She nodded. “Now there’s what I call a brave woman who saw a need and did something about it.  That's what I'd like to do.”
    “You're a teacher, imparting knowledge to those who wouldn’t receive it otherwise.”
    “I know, but I'd like to do something more, I'm not sure what, though. Give me time, I'll think of something.”
    He chuckled. “I know you will.  It is good having you here. Fiona's a lot happier now.”
    A laden wagon lumbered past them. “My, he's got a load up,” she said.
    Ian nodded to the driver who responded by raising his whip. “Supplies for Camptons. There's a big charity ball there next week, all the district’s gentry are going, of course.”
    How would Luke Campton look in formal attire? Drat the man. She didn’t care about the arrogant beast. He could walk around in a loin cloth for all she cared. She took a couple of deep, steadying breaths. “Were you invited?”
    “What do you think?”
    He sounded so despondent she wished she could cheer him up. “If I hadn't been robbed, I could have treated you at that nice little tea room.”
    He rolled his eyes. “Tea room! I don’t think so. Anyway, I'd rather get along home. I don't like leaving Fiona alone for too long. You know how it is.”  He gnawed his lip. “We can come into town again next week for supplies.”
    She patted her brother’s arm. “I understand.” But she didn’t. Never having been weak and helpless herself, she couldn’t begin to imagine what it would be like to be frightened and timid all the time.
    The spring sun beat down, unseasonably hot. The white straw hat trimmed with black lace over green ribbons, shaded her face from the worst of the sun.
    The gum trees along the sides of the road looked gnarled and twisted, the knots