Free Rescuing the Heiress by Valerie Hansen

else tapped him on the shoulder from behind at the same instant.
    As he turned to see who was interfering, he saw a flash of movement and felt a jolt to the side of his jaw.
    Staggered, Michael released Tess. He blinked to clear his swimming head. A mustachioed dandy in a bowler hat and striped silk cravat was facing him with fists raised defensively, posing like a boxer in the ring. The man was jumping around on the balls of his feet as if there were swarms of biting ants inside his shoes.
    â€œWhat the…” Michael began.
    Tess raised her voice and interrupted with a sharp “No!” She stepped in front of him. “Are you all right?”
    â€œYes.” Nevertheless, he rubbed his jaw and peered past her while Tess turned to face the attacker, her hands on her hips.
    â€œPhineas Edgerton. What in the world do you think you’re doing?”
    â€œDefending your honor, Miss Clark.” He stopped dancing around but didn’t lower his fists. Nor did he take his eyes off Michael. “G.B. told me you might be here tonight.”
    â€œMy father sent you?”
    â€œIn a manner of speaking.”
    â€œWell, go home. There’s no need for you here. And certainly no call to go around punching innocent people.”
    In Michael’s opinion, the man Tess had called Phineas was not planning to take her seriously. He was of a slighter build than most firemen and clearly not much of an adversary in a real fight. Still, he had delivered a hard enough blow to temporarily stun and Michael was not about to give him a chance to do it again.
    When Phineas reached toward Tess, Michael acted. He pushed the thinner man away with more force than was needed and sent him reeling.
    â€œStop it. Both of you.” Tess raised her arms and intervened as if attempting to keep two brawling little ruffians apart. “This is ridiculous.”
    Although Michael did give ground he remained ready to renew the battle if need be. “We’ll see about that.”
    â€œNo. You will see nothing.” Calmly and deliberately, she nodded at the other man. “Phineas, may I present Michael Mahoney and his mother, Mary.”
    To Michael’s dismay, he had temporarily forgotten that his mother was even present, let alone standing back and watching the whole confrontation.
    â€œMary, dear, this is Mr. Edgerton, one of Father’s vice presidents,” Tess continued.
    The cook made a slight curtsy but did not offer her hand. Neither did Michael.
    Tess went on, “I suggest we all go inside and find suitable seats before they’re all gone.” That said, she slipped her hand through the crook of the banker’s elbow and motioned to Mary to do the same regarding Michael.
    He offered his arm to his mother without hesitation. As long as Tess and that skinny fop were going into the lecture hall, he might as well accompany them.
    Later, when he had a chance to speak to his mother in private, he intended to tell her exactly what he thought of her foolishness. Going to a controversial lecture like this was bad enough without joining forces with the boss’s daughter to do so. There would be no way that Gerald Clark would not hear every juicy detail, thanks to his toady.
    Michael clenched his fists. He wished he’d punched Phineas in the nose instead of merely giving him a shove.
    He sawed his jaw from side to side to test it. Unless hemissed his guess, he was going to be sporting a dandy bruise on his chin by tomorrow. That was what he got for letting himself be dragged into another of Tess’s wild schemes.
    Beside him, his mother tightened her grip. When he glanced down at her she peeked from beneath the brim of the fancy hat. “Your Irish is showin’,” she said, giving him a sly grin. “You’d best mind your manners if you want to impress anyone.”
    â€œOnly you, Ma,” Michael said. “You know you’re my best girl. Always will be.”
    Mary