The two of them gave him a brief tutorial on the thing, taking care not to bring attention to his lack of experience, which was not difficult, as the forewarned competition among cousin husbands had already begun.

And Rupert had already injured one of the gamekeeper’s lads. Not seriously, but enough that it ought to be noted.

With the help of his instructors, Hugh managed to successfully aim, fire, and eventually shoot one of the birds, which seemed a miracle worthy of celebration, though he would keep that opinion to himself in light of the ongoing competition just down the field.

Not wanting to taint the moment of his success with repeated failures, he set the gun aside after his victory and watched the rest of them.

Uncle Dough was quick to do the same.

Hugh smiled as the man stood beside him. “You don’t need to keep me company, sir. Please, continue to shoot, if you’d like.”

“I would not like, as it happens,” Uncle Dough informed him, folding his arms and watching the others as though he had been named a judge in the competition. “Can’t abide shooting myself.”

That was not something Hugh had expected to hear, especially after the lengths the man had gone to in instructing Hugh in his own shooting.

He stared at Uncle Dough, mouth gaping slightly. “Why didn’t you say something before? I told you I was no sportsman, and if you don’t care for shooting either…”

Uncle Dough shrugged, chuckling in an irritatingly knowing way. “It’s tradition, man. Once a year, I overcome my aversion to shooting for the sake of being with family. I keep my mouth shut and quietly shoot a round or two, then the thing is done.” He eyed Hugh, still smiling wryly. “If you paid any attention, Sterling, you would have seen that I don’t aim with any care. Simply shoot in the general direction, and I appear to participate without having to do much.”

“Genius,” Hugh murmured, shaking his head in appreciation. “You’ve mastered an art form.”

“I’ve had a few years to perfect it,” came the amused reply. “I find more entertainment in the observation of the others than the action itself.”

They watched in silence for a moment, and soon both of them were laughing to themselves at the antics of the others, for good or ill. Some were excellent shots but had terrible tempers, some were good-natured despite being miserable shots, and some were completely frustrated the whole way through, regardless of outcomes.