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Gray followed the other gentlemen on his horse. When they approached him this morning for an afternoon of fishing, they had refused his answer of no. Every excuse he gave them, they refuted until he accepted their invitation. It wasn’t as if he didn’t enjoy their company; it was because, over the past two days of enduring silence from Abigail and his cousins, he didn’t wish to be in the company of others.
Even Selina glared at him whenever he came across her. When he tried to engage her in a conversation, she gave him the cut direct as if they were in a ballroom filled with others. She acted most bizarre. But he knew better than to comment on her behavior. Duncan would make him regret anything negative he spoke, cousin or not.
And that was also his predicament with every other gentleman present. They would make his existence miserable if he even so much as complained about their wives’ treatment. He understood the reason for their unsympathetic behavior and he only had himself to blame. By now, he was positive Abigail had told them of his bungled marriage proposal.
A proposal he regretted the moment he asked. Not that he regretted proposing. No. His regret lay with the words that spewed from his mouth. Instead of demanding they marry and slandering her mother, he should have declared his love. If he could get Abigail alone, he knew she would accept the marriage proposal he planned. However, at his every attempt to speak with Abigail, his cousins instigated themselves and drew her away. He even tried the secret passageway, but the door to her bedchamber wouldn’t budge. He didn’t dare approach her through the door in the hallway because of who might notice.
Damn his meddling cousins. They were as bad as his father and Aunt Susanna. He thought he might have Uncle Ramsay on his side, but his uncle kept shaking his head in disapproval.
While his friends settled around the pond, Gray stalked over to the opposite side and settled against a rock. He threw the pole out, watched the line float against the wind, and listened to the snippets of conversations drifting across to him. They discussed a range of topics. Everything from Gemma’s and Jacqueline’s pregnancies to Ralston and Kincaid’s business venture. He didn’t envy any one of them but held pride in their happiness and success.
However, with each minute he sat away from them, he realized perhaps he was envious. He wanted all of that for himself but held no clue on how to make it happen.
He rose and walked back toward them, leaving his pole in the water. His friends stopped talking and stared at him with interest and a bit of skepticism when he reached them.
Gray lifted his hands in the air in defeat. “Tell me how.”
He figured since he asked them for their help, they would offer it freely. However, he was mistaken.
Sinclair smirked. “How what, exactly?”
“Do you wish to learn which bait works best to catch a fish?” Ralston asked.
Worthington winced. “From what I understand, his timing is off. He is not using the correct line.”
Kincaid shook his head. “You are correct about the line. But I believe it is also in his approach when he casts the line.”
Gray gritted his teeth and bit his tongue. Apparently, they wouldn’t help him until he allowed them their bit of amusement at his expense.
Forrester laughed. “Each of you has made a fine point. However, he will never catch the lady if he continues to lure her like he fishes. You must not compare catching a lady to how one would catch a fish.”
“You must charm her,” Sinclair suggested.
Worthington nodded. “You must show her how hard you have fallen.”
Ralston smiled wickedly. “Tempt her.”
Forrester’s lips twisted into a smile. “Steal her away.”
Kincaid quirked an eyebrow. “And seduce her. Or better yet, have her seduce you.”
Gray harrumphed. “She will not even speak to me, let alone seduce me.”
Kincaid shrugged. “She might surprise you.”
Gray rolled his eyes. “While I appreciate your advice, none of your suggestions will help me in winning over Abigail.”
“Do you hope to win her over because you love her or because you are fulfilling your obligation of a gentleman?” Sinclair asked.
“Why cannot it be for both reasons?”
“Because Abigail deserves more than what you are offering her,” Sinclair explained.
Gray ran his hands through his hair. “How can I win her love when your wives run interference? They will not allow me a moment alone with her.”
Ralston chuckled. “You grew up with them. You should know how to be more devious than them.”
“One would think,” Gray mumbled.
Every one of them understood how each lady could sweet-talk their way out of any situation or crook their little finger to get their way. Even Gray fell for their charm. Plus, you never double-crossed any of them. Because when they struck their revenge, they allowed no mercy.
“Perhaps you can keep your wives distracted while I convince Abigail to marry me.”
Each of them shook their heads in denial.
“Sorry, mate.” Kincaid slapped Lucas on the shoulder.
Worthington gathered his pole from the water. “We made our wives a promise.”
“But we can offer you advice,” Forrester added. “Instead of expecting Abigail to feel gratitude for receiving a proposal from you, be honest with her. Forget about everyone else’s opinion and focus on the unique woman in front of you. Who, for whatever reason we have yet to figure out, loves you unconditionally. Arrogance and all.”
Gray narrowed his gaze. “I am not arrogant.”
Forrester shrugged. “Perhaps not. But you are uptight and too worried about the strict structure of society.”
“Those guidelines are set for a purpose,” Gray argued.
“For whom?” Sinclair asked.
“For every single one of us and our generations to come.”
Kincaid nodded. “And Abigail is not worthy enough to be included with those standards.”
Gray advanced on his friend. “She is more worthy than anyone I know. How dare you insult her so.”
Kincaid held his hands up and backed away. “I am only stating my opinion from your marriage proposal and the way you have treated her of late.”
Gray halted. Kincaid’s comment sank in. Had he been so callous in his regard toward Abigail? He closed his eyes. When he opened them again, it was to see his friends watching him come to terms with his behavior. All along, they had tried to make him see reason, only for him to brush their comments aside. It was a wonder Abigail even acknowledged him.
“I have been a fool.”
“Finally, I did not believe you would ever see the light,” Sinclair quipped.
“How do I convince Abigail of my sincerity?”
“Humble yourself at her mercy,” Worthington answered.
“And if that does not work?”
“You will not know unless you try,” Ralston encouraged him.
“You are correct.” Gray strode to his horse. He paused and turned around, nodding to the other gentlemen. “Thank you.”
Each of them nodded. Gray rode off, and they watched him with amusement.
“Do you imagine he has a chance?” Kincaid asked.
Forrester laughed. “He might, but hopefully the lass makes him suffer for a bit.”
The rest of the gentlemen laughed and returned to their fishing. After all, they had accomplished what their wives requested of them. They figured they would enjoy the peace before all hell erupted later. The plan their wives concocted only had one outcome, and that was a catastrophe.
But in truth, the madness of it all would prevail.