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Gray rudely woke Kincaid the next morning by throwing open the drapes and shoving him in the shoulder. “Wake up, Kincaid.”
He threw the covers over his head. “Sod off.”
Gray laughed at Kincaid’s surliness. “I cannot. I am here to drag your arse out of bed.”
“What in the hell for?”
“Fishing.”
Kincaid moaned. His late evening with Jacqueline had exhausted him. After he carried her inside, he’d stayed by her bed, watching her sleep. His insecurities had grown the longer he stayed. He feared she would reject his offer, and he held an odd feeling that she planned to end their relationship after the hunt. He didn’t know how to convince her to give them a chance other than professing his love in front of her entire family. It wouldn’t end well for him if he did. He didn’t want to go fishing. First, he wanted to finish sleeping. Then he wanted to find Jacqueline and propose, hoping she changed her answer to yes.
He opened an eye. “I will pass.”
“No, you will not. Get up, this is your only chance to gain my father’s blessing for Jacqueline’s hand.”
Kincaid sat up, reaching for his trousers. He pulled them on, shooting out of bed and finished dressing before Gray continued with his explanation. He yanked on his boots, gathered his old coat, and strode out the door. Kincaid glanced over his shoulder to see Gray staring at him with a frown. “Are you coming?”
Gray shook his head at Kincaid’s eagerness. He hoped to explain his plan to Kincaid, but his friend didn’t allow him one word of explanation. He could only follow when Kincaid flew down the stairs. Gray wanted to warn Kincaid that his father hadn’t invited him, but he would find out for himself. It served him right for seducing his cousin.
They walked toward the stables and came to a stop when his father called out to them from atop his chosen mount. “When you mentioned fishing, you never said you would bring the bait.”
Ramsay cackled. “I have never used bait like this before.”
“Oh, we should get quite a few bites with him,” Colebourne replied.
Kincaid narrowed his gaze at Gray. “Blessing, huh?”
Gray shrugged. “It is worth a try.”
“Even if I was not invited,” Kincaid muttered.
“Nay, you were not. But grab a pole. Daylight is wasting away,” Colebourne ordered and galloped away with Ramsay.
Gray and Kincaid grabbed the poles and followed on their horses. He heard the older gentlemen quarreling about which pond to fish at. Gray had tricked him into joining them.
“Why?”
Gray sighed. “Because you need my father’s attention without the distractions of the houseguests. He is most relaxed when he is fishing.”
“I thought you were against my union with Jacqueline.”
Gray’s hands tightened around the reins before relaxing. “You overstepped our bounds of friendship, but then I realized you did not differ from Worthington. I would rather my cousins settle with my friends than with gentlemen who I am unsure of their character. Also, I do not care how my father interferes with his matchmaking by using Falcone as a pawn in his madness. If I can help you and Jacqueline settle, then I can refocus on Abigail. The longer Falcone remains in residence, the more of a threat he remains.”
Kincaid nodded. “I understand, but you could have least warned me.”
Gray scoffed. “You never gave me a chance. You scurried out of your bedchamber in such a rush.”
Kincaid laughed. “That I did.” He grew serious, reaching out his hand. “Thank you.”
Gray shook Kincaid’s hand. The guilt at setting his friend up for his father’s refusal only caused him to cringe for a minute. Then it quickly disappeared because all was fair in love and war. And he fought to keep Abigail from a life of servitude. While he couldn’t offer her marriage, he refused to allow her to become a servant. If he kept his father distracted with Jacqueline and Kincaid, then he could persuade Abigail to turn down the offer she’d received to become a governess. He would have to enlist the help of Gemma, but he had the perfect solution to keep Abigail nearby.
Kincaid and Gray guided their horses toward the tree and joined Colebourne and Ramsay for a morning of fishing. Everyone stayed silent, which was a rare occurrence for the older gentlemen. Kincaid soon grew drowsy from the lack of entertainment. A few times, he drifted to sleep under the warm sun, but Gray would nudge him back awake. The last time it happened, his gaze connected with Colebourne, who shook his head in disappointment. When Colebourne moved to another spot across the pond, Kincaid debated on following him. But when the duke scowled in his direction, he remained in his spot.
“Do you want the lass or not?” Ramsay asked.
Kincaid sighed. “Yes.”
Ramsay nodded. “Then you best get yourself over there and start groveling.”
“It was the reason I brought him with us,” Gray muttered.
“They have the bollocks to seduce the lasses but cower when up against an old coot.”
Kincaid bristled. “I am not afraid of Colebourne.”
Ramsay shrugged. “What are ye waiting for, an invitation? This isn’t a debutante ball, it is your future, boy.”
Kincaid drew his pole out of the water, shooting Ramsay a glare at his taunts. He trudged around the pond to sit next to Colebourne. The duke didn’t show any expression at his arrival and continued to fish, not catching a single thing. Kincaid threw his pole in and, within a few minutes, caught a fish. Colebourne harrumphed but stayed silent.
When Kincaid caught another fish, Colebourne blurted out his objections. “Not only did you steal my remaining unwed niece, but must you steal all the fish, too?”
Kincaid looked at him with exasperation. “You invited me here in the spring for the sole purpose of becoming Jacqueline’s husband.”
Colebourne pinched his lips. “Well, I might have changed my mind.”
Kincaid panicked. If he couldn’t get Colebourne’s support, it would only make Jacqueline more hesitant to accept his proposal. The future he planned for them was disappearing before his very eyes.
Colebourne took pity on Kincaid. “Calm down.”
Kincaid stormed away, only to return seconds later. “How do you expect me to calm down when you plan to reject my suit of Jacqueline? I love her, and I cannot imagine my life without her. Ever since we shared our first kiss, I knew she was the lady I wanted to marry. To win her hand and your approval, I knew I must climb out of debt. I developed a brilliant business idea and then you pulled your support away for no plausible reason.”
Colebourne growled. “I had plenty of reasons.”
“Name one.”
Colebourne leaned back against the rock and crossed his arms. “You said so yourself, the first kiss you shared with Jacqueline. Why are you kissing my niece when you are not married?”
Kincaid sputtered. “It was... She asked... I...”
“Exactly. Not to mention, I know more than kissing transpires between you and Jacqueline.”
Kincaid threw his hands in the air. “All the more reasons to give your blessing.”
Colebourne bit out a sarcastic laugh. “Is that your only defense? Then my standing remains the same.”
Kincaid realized his mistake the minute he spoke, but he was powerless to stop them. He’d never wanted to win Jacqueline’s hand by telling the duke of their affair. While Colebourne only baited him, it was a test on how Kincaid would react. And he’d reacted miserably. The seriousness on Colebourne’s face displayed the severity of their discussion. His chance at redeeming himself had blown away with the wind.
He swiped a hand down his face. “My apologies. I am at my wit’s end, and I have no clue how to act. My greatest wish is for your blessing in asking Jacqueline to become my wife. I understand I scandalously ruined her. But I do not regret one moment with her. Nor will I allow her to suffer any shame. The love we share is rare.”
Colebourne pointed at the rock next to him. “Take a seat,” he ordered.
Kincaid sat against the rock, waiting for Colebourne to speak. However, the duke only picked up his pole and started fishing again without a word. After a while, Kincaid followed his lead and fished again. Time passed, and the sun climbed higher in the sky.
Kincaid looked across the pond and caught Gray’s questioning stare, and he shrugged. He watched Gray and Ramsay shake with laughter at the conversation they held. Snippets floated across the pond. Kincaid caught the words of “a scoundrel,” “ruined an innocent,” “rake of the highest order.” He glared across at them, and their teasing grew louder. Kincaid felt uncomfortable the longer the silence hovered between Colebourne and him. He dared a glance and saw the duke hiding a grin at the humor. Kincaid blew out a pent-up breath he hadn’t even realized he’d held.
“And he calls himself a friend,” Kincaid muttered.
“Only one’s friend can find humor in another friend’s mistakes.”
Kincaid turned his head. “You have a point.”
Colebourne smiled smugly. “I always do.”
“How can I change your mind?”
Colebourne shook his head. “There is no need, my son. It is I who owes you an explanation.”
Kincaid’s eyebrows drew together in confusion. “How so?”
“I invited you amongst the other chosen gentlemen to a house party in the spring to make matches with my nieces. And one by one, I made those matches. Each lady fell in love and got married. Before I knew it, my household grew smaller and, I must confess, lonelier.”
Kincaid scoffed. “How could you possibly be lonely with so much drama always surrounding you?”
Colebourne laughed. “True, and it is most welcome. Still, sadness set in when I faced losing Jacqueline. She has always been the rock of our family, especially when I have needed her. I suppose, in my selfishness, I reacted badly when I watched her fall in love with you and knew she would leave for a new home. One she deserves and needs. So, I am asking for your forgiveness.”
“I forgive you. However, why did you withdraw your support from my business venture? You showed interest in its success.”
“I am. But I knew I couldn’t offer you the same resources as Ralston could. Plus, it was a perfect match for his and Worth’s detective service.”
Kincaid nodded. “You dropped hints for Gray to mention it to Ralston.”
Colebourne harrumphed. “That boy can take a hint for everything except for what truly matters.”
Kincaid looked over at his friend. “Oh, I believe he is aware of the hints thrown at him, but his stubbornness resists them.”
“I believe you are correct. But that is another matter to tackle after I get you and Jacqueline settled.”
Hope flared in Kincaid’s eyes. “You will offer your support.”
“Aye.”
“Thank you. I am indebted to you with gratitude.”
Colebourne sighed. “No. There is no debt with family. Your days of fulfilling your obligations because of your mishaps as a youth are now clear. I have another confession to make. I promised your father before he died that I would look out for you. And over the years, I did. That was before a gaggle of young ladies overcame my days. Then I neglected to keep up with your activities. When I bailed you out from the trouble with the Duke of Gostwicke, it was to keep you within sight. However, it kept you from rising to your full potential. But over the past three years, I’ve noticed a new spark within you. Is Jacqueline the reason?”
“Yes. She makes me strive to be a better man.”
“A diamond of a lady will hold that effect over a man. Jacqueline reminds me of my Olivia. Maybe that is why I struggle to let her go,” Colebourne whispered.
“You are not losing her. You only have to share her. You will always be a part of our lives, and I promise we shall visit often. So frequently you will tire of us.” Kincaid paused and then admitted, “Since we are confessing our secrets, I must confess how much I appreciated your guidance over the years, and I hope it continues.”
“Take my advice and tell Jacqueline the truth about your past before it is too late.”
“Is that why you invited Falcone?”
Colebourne stared at Kincaid with no regret for his actions. “Yes, and he has his own obligation to fulfill. So, I would not hesitate any longer.”
“How many of us do you have under your thumb?”
Colebourne laughed. “More than you would believe.”
“What if I am too late?”
“You could very possibly be. I gave him a deadline, and it is fast approaching. Why, even now, Falcone could reveal your secret.”
Kincaid jumped to his feet. “Then why are we still fishing?”
Not waiting for an answer, he grabbed both of their poles and the fish he’d caught. He held out his other hand for Colebourne and helped him to rise. Then, with quick strides, he walked around the pond and ordered the other gentlemen to hurry. “We must leave now.”
Colebourne followed Kincaid slowly, amused at his need to rush back to the manor. “Calm down, boy. Falcone is probably still abed and hasn’t spoken to Jacqueline yet.”
Kincaid spun around. “You have no clue what that blinder is capable of. He will gladly ruin my relationship with Jacqueline and take pleasure from the outcome. He is ruthless and will show no mercy with her feelings.”
Colebourne pondered Kincaid’s words and knew he stood correct. He hadn’t taken into count how unscrupulous the gentleman was when he invited Falcone. Perhaps his son was right, and he had taken this whole matchmaking business too far. To date, he’d been lucky with the outcomes, but Jacqueline was harder to coerce. Her fear and stubbornness kept her from finding happiness. Now, when she might have taken a chance on Kincaid, Colebourne had ruined it with his games.
He hurried to the horses, throwing over his shoulder, “You heard the boy. We must return to the manor immediately.”
Ramsay and Gray shook their heads at one another but followed behind them. During the ride back, Gray convinced them they were overreacting about Falcone. Ramsay even threw in his odd attempt at humor, calming Kincaid and Colebourne. Soon, the group was laughing and bantering back and forth. Once they reached the stables, they handed their horses and fishing gear off to the stable boys. They trudged up to the house and entered through the garden entrance, where they met Lady Forrester talking to the butler.
“Here ye go, Oakes. Take these to Cook for luncheon.” Ramsay handed off the fish.
Oakes turned up his nose at the disturbing odor. “Very well, my lord.”
Lady Forrester laughed. “That is quite a catch.”
Ramsay nodded toward Kincaid. “He can catch the fish, just not the lady.”
Gray laughed at his uncle’s slander. “Give the bloke a break, he is using the wrong bait with Jacqueline.”
Colebourne tilted his head toward the garden, where Jacqueline hurried along the path. “Here is his chance.”