A Lady Most Lovely by Jennifer Delamere Page A

heart was pounding out of his chest, relieved that he’d arrived in time. He stood his ground. “I was admitted by the maid,” Tom said. “Unlike these two”—he jerked a thumb at themoneylenders—“who forced their way in.” To Brawn he said pointedly, “If you even go near her, I will make sure you heartily regret it.”
    Brawn bristled. Tom kept his eyes locked on him, knowing from experience that this kind of thug would quickly take advantage of any lapse in his opponent’s attention.
    “Are you mad?” Margaret exclaimed.
    “Probably,” Tom conceded. He was no stranger to fisticuffs, but up close Brawn looked a lot bigger—and a lot meaner—than he had from a distance.
    “I assure you, no one is going to lay a hand on anyone,” Mortimer said. “We are merely having a business meeting. You, sir, were not invited.”
    Tom did not move even a muscle. “If this is just a business meeting, then why don’t you call off your dog.”
    Brawn tensed and made a threatening motion. Tom raised his fists in reply, showing he was more than willing to back up his words with action.
    “Go stand by the window, Jake,” Mortimer commanded. “You’re making everybody nervous.”
    Jake glowered at Tom, but did as he was told.
    Tom saw some of the tension leave Margaret’s body as the distance between her and Jake increased, but she was still very agitated. She took a deep breath. “Mr. Poole, this is a private matter. I thank you for your concern, but—”
    “That’s right, I am concerned,” Tom cut in. “When I see two men forcing their way into a proper lady’s house, I get concerned.” He strode over to Margaret, wanting to shield her from these men. He knew he was giving in to his impulsiveness again, but this time he felt justified.“Do you owe these men money? If so, tell me the amount, and I’ll pay it.”
    He glanced over at Mortimer as he said this, and saw a gleam light up the older man’s eye. He probably did not care where the money came from, so long as he was paid.
    Margaret straightened. She really was tall for a woman. When she drew herself up to her full height like this, she and Tom stood nearly eye to eye. Golden flecks lit up her green eyes like sparks of fire. “Mr. Poole, we hardly know each other.”
    “That is something I believe we should remedy.” He tipped his head in the direction of the moneylenders. “After we have gotten these two leeches out of your life.”
    Over by the window, Jake was still scowling at him, looking like a chained attack dog. But Mortimer was a smoother fellow. “I do not take umbrage, sir,” he said mildly. “Men in my profession are often thus insulted in return for the valuable services we provide. It is one of the great injustices to which I have resigned myself.” To Margaret he said, “What I do take umbrage at is not being paid for my services. I must again insist that we receive the full amount by tomorrow noon. Otherwise, this becomes a matter for the courts.”
    “The courts!” Tom repeated in surprise. “How can you possibly take this woman to court?”
    “At the time of our initial loan, Miss Vaughn signed a declaration that she had never before raised money on the same security from anybody else. It was a mere formality, of course. However, the laws of our noble land do state that anyone who makes such a declaration falsely is liable, upon conviction, to a long term of imprisonment .”
    Margaret bristled. Or perhaps it was a shudder at theprospect of prison. If Jake was looking like a chained attack dog, Margaret was looking like a cornered fox.
    Tom knew exactly what Mortimer was doing. He was jumping on the chance for money when he saw it, pressing Margaret to accept Tom’s offer.
    Margaret knew it, too, but her pride was greater than any attempt at intimidation. “How dare you threaten me?” she said fiercely. “You miserable, loathsome, grasping—”
    “Careful, Miss Vaughn,” Mortimer advised. “You may call me