“It isn’t exactly proper conversation for ladies,” Daniel said dryly, and when she looked about to protest, added, “I know the three of you have been as close as siblings to him. And that is probably what saved him. But—”

“What do you mean by saved him?” Lisa interrupted.

Daniel raised his eyebrows. “Well, what kind of man do you think would come out of having his ear filled with such rot by a bitter father?”

Lisa considered it, her eyes widening as she realized it would have been a bitter, woman-hating man.

“Exactly,” Daniel said as if she’d spoken the words aloud. “I suspect his friendship with the three of you, and knowing you were all fine females and faithful friends is all that kept him from becoming as bitter and angry as his father and grandfather before him.”

He let that sink in and then added, “However, even knowing the three of you hasn’t completely eradicated the effects of being fed such drivel all his life. He fears that if he gives in to his feelings and marries Lisa, he too could incur the curse and find himself cuckolded.”

“He thinks I would be unfaithful?” Lisa squawked with outrage.

“Do not take it personally,” Richard said soothingly. “I suspect it is so ingrained, he thinks it is impossible for it not to happen. That the curse would make you do it.”

“What rot,” Lisa snapped. “Nothing and no one makes me do anything I do not wish. And I simply would not be unfaithful to my husband, no matter who he was or what he did. I would not break vows made before God.”

“She wouldn’t either,” Christiana said staunchly. “Our Lisa is as faithful and loyal as a dog.”

“Thank you,” Lisa said, and then frowned because really, faithful and loyal as a dog simply didn’t sound very attractive at all.

“Yes, well it is not I who think you would be unfaithful,” Daniel said reasonably. “And Robert probably doesn’t even really believe that himself, it is simply what he has been raised to believe it will most certainly happen. An irrational fear, but it’s keeping him from what he wants most anyway.”

Lisa frowned over this and plucked at the blanket covering her, but finally asked plaintively, “Well, how am I supposed to help him over this fear?”

“I am not sure you really can,” Daniel admitted regretfully. “I suspect your best bet is to compromise him and force him to marry you.”

Lisa’s mouth dropped in amazement and then she asked, “Are you suggesting I seduce him, ensure we are caught and that he has to marry me?”

“No, of course he isn’t,” Richard said coldly, glaring at his friend.