He hesitated for several heartbeats before finally nodding. “His father didn’t approve of the choices Lushing’s heart had made. I think his father would have disowned him if primogeniture and the terms of the entailment hadn’t made it impossible for Lushing not to inherit. His father was quite furious and unforgiving. Thank God for the law that protected his inheritance.”

It was no secret that Lushing’s deep and abiding friendship with Kit had helped him to survive those trying years when his father had cast him out. Even upon his deathbed, as he succumbed to the ravages of cancer, Lushing’s father refused to allow his only remaining child entry into the residence in order to have a final farewell.

“I’m surprised he didn’t rebel and marry her.” If he had loved her enough to offend his father, why hadn’t he taken her to wife?

“The relationship was complicated. It would not have served him well in the end to make it public.”

She wondered if the lady had been married or perhaps a servant. Maybe someone uneducated who would not have fit in at all. Or a by-blow.

Kit gave her a warm smile. “Besides, you caught his fancy. You made him quite happy, Selena.”

While the physical aspect of their relationship might have been lacking, she’d never doubted that Lushing had cared for her, and until last night had never doubted his devotion.

“And if this child you carry is a boy, he will be smiling down from heaven.”

Her gut clenched, and her chest tightened. She’d needed to plant the seed of a possible heir early, so she’d decided to use him as her foil because he was so close to Lushing and people would take his word if he supported her claim regarding the child’s paternity. “There could be other reasons my menses is delayed.” It hadn’t been late at all, had ended a mere five days ago.

“I shall pray you are late for the most joyous of reasons. Lushing had begun to fear the mumps had left him infertile.”

Three years into their marriage, he’d confessed his worries to her. At nineteen, he’d contracted a rather severe case of the horrid disease that had caused swelling not only on either side of his jaw but in his testicles as well. He’d avoided looking at her when he’d shared what she realized was an incredibly personal and embarrassing situation for him. She’d feared the lack of ease between them when it came to the bedding had caused her womb to tighten up to such a degree that it wouldn’t allow his seed to take root. “Please, don’t mention my possible condition to anyone, not until more time has passed. I don’t want to invite any bad luck,” she told Kit now.

“All your secrets are safe with me.”