This story is actually a Georgian romance ( Georgette Heyer usually rights Regency romances).  Hory is one of my favorite examples of an imperfect but absolutely adorable character. Hory is unorthodox, short and plain, and badly stammers.  Because of this, the reader actually gets a dose of laugh out loud fun.  The Earl of Rule is looking to settle down and he chooses Hory's sister who wants to actually marry for love.  Hory steps in, willing to make the sacrifice.