Page 90 of A Mismatch Made in London

“I seen him two days ago.” He spat on the ground, but he stopped walking and faced Jeremy again. “If you see him, tell him if he keeps on neglecting to pay his help, they will leave him for greener pastures, and that’s the truth.”

“As well they should,” Jeremy said.

“A man or woman, even if they’s poor, has got to have something to live off of, ain’t they?”

“Indeed. Very true. If we see him, we will tell him.”

The man grunted and went on his way.

They asked a man and woman who were walking along the road together.

“We have not seen Mr. Fairweather. Isn’t he in London this time of year, endeavoring to marry a rich heiress?”

“Better that he stays there,” the woman added, “where he won’t be able to trifle with any of our village girls.”

“We’ll say no more.” The man gave his wife a pointed look.

Jeremy thanked the couple and bid them a good day.

“Sounds like he’s laying low,” Dawson said.

“But he was here two days ago.”

“He could be long gone by now.”

Jeremy blew out a loud breath.

Dawson said, “I’d wager they are having trouble keeping servants, since he neglects to pay them. I could go and offer my services as a groom and horse trainer, or whatever they need. That would get me on the premises, and I’d be more likely to discover if he’s there or not.”

“That is a good plan, if you’re sure you’re willing.”

“’Course I’m sure. I’m ready to get this scoundrel. I may shoot him myself and save you the trouble.”

“I would never ask you to do that.”

“You wouldn’t have to ask.” Dawson had a smirk on his face as if he were imagining shooting him and relishing the image of it.

“That won’t be necessary.”

“I wouldn’t do it,” Dawson said, “even though he deserves it, unless I had to, to defend myself.”

Jeremy was glad every day that he’d hired Dawson.

Dawson did as he said and was hired as a horse groomer and stable hand. It seemed all but one of the stable workers had quit, as they hadn’t been paid in months. He was to start the next day.

After his first day of work, Dawson met Jeremy at a stile in the rock fence at the edge of the Fairweather property.

“He’s home,” Dawson said. “I saw him skulking about the garden this afternoon. I went right up to him and told him I was the new stable hand and told him there was a man asking after him. He asked me to describe the man and I did my best to describe you. He says, ‘Good. Do you think you’ll see him again?’ I says, ‘I may.’ He says, ‘I have a note for him, if you’ll give it to him.’ And here it is.”

Dawson placed a folded piece of paper in Jeremy’s hand.

“You will give me 2,000 quid if you want me to stop the rumors about your sister and me.F”

“So that’s his game. He wants me to pay him to stop the rumors.” Jeremy shook his head. “He’s more foolish than I thought.”

“Desperate too,” Dawson said. “His man told me that he’s been getting threats about some debt he owes. He may have to forfeit the house.”

Jeremy took a pencil from his pocket and wrote on the back of the note:The sheep pasture north of the house, pistols at dawn. Bring your seconds. J.B.