A Rival Heir by Laura Matthews

habit of attempting to solve almost any problem which presents itself to her. And a great many of them, as you may note, are none of her business.”
    “Delightful creature, Mrs. Holmsly,” Lord Westwick interjected. “She means to be your friend, I believe, Miss Armstrong. I trust you will bear that in mind, and not think too harshly of her.”
    “Of course not. I am very aware of her good intentions, but she had far better exercise them on someone more deserving!” Nell looked pleadingly at Sir Hugh. “My aunt does not appreciate having her will crossed, as I dare say you have noticed, sir. I fear she will make herself most unpleasant to your sister should Mrs. Holmsly appear to be at odds with her.”
    “If you think Miss Longstreet has it in her to reduce my sister to a quivering jelly, you do not know Emily,” Sir Hugh teased. Then he added significantly, “And Emily has a husband and a brother to back her up.”
    Nell was very aware that she herself had no one to do likewise. But she was accustomed to her aunt’s ways as few others could be. It all made for a challenging balancing act. Across the room Nell could see that the Holmslys continued to converse with Aunt Longstreet, whose vigorous cane-thumping could not be distinguished in such a noisy setting.
    A tiny smile quivered at the corners of Nell’s lips. “I doubt she will be caught at such a disadvantage another time,” she remarked ruefully. Her aunt cast a glaring look about the room, and when her gaze lighted on Nell, she beckoned with an imperious hand. “I’d best return to her, if you wouldn’t mind, Lord Westwick.”
    The earl paused and regarded her with concern. “If you’re quite sure you wish to return…”
    “Oh, yes. Else she’ll become distressed. She is probably ready to leave now.”
    “Then I shall accompany you home,” Sir Hugh insisted.
    “That would be very kind of you,” Nell said. That disconcerting fluttery feeling lodged in her breast once more, much to her dismay. You’re five-and-twenty , she chided herself. Not nineteen. Behave accordingly . Unfortunately, her inner self wasn’t paying much attention, and her pulse remained quickened as she placed her hand on Sir Hugh’s proffered arm.
    * * * *
    Miss Longstreet did not wish for Sir Hugh’s escort. She made herself quite plain about this, but the baronet paid her no heed. “Not only will you have my escort,” he told her quietly but firmly, “but you will allow me to see you home in my carriage.”
    “I had rather have a sedan chair,” she announced in piercing accents.
    “But Miss Armstrong would prefer to be driven in my carriage,” Sir Hugh announced without the least ground for his assertion, “and I have every intention of honoring her wish.”
    “Is that true?” Miss Longstreet demanded, glaring at Nell.
    “Yes, indeed, Aunt Longstreet. For you know how difficult it was for us to maneuver into a sedan chair with our gowns, and how uncomfortable we were. I feel certain we will be much better accommodated in your godson’s carriage.”
    “Humph,” her aunt muttered.
    Miss Longstreet at least seemed willing enough to leave the ballroom. She bid goodbye to the Holmslys, but ignored Lord Westwick, who stood aside to let the party pass. Nell extended her hand to the earl with a warm “Thank you!”
    Sir Hugh shepherded the ladies through the crowded room to the entrance hall. He had sent a servant to inform his driver that the carriage was wanted, but there had been insufficient time for it to arrive. Even after the ladies’ pelisses had been claimed, the carriage had not appeared.
    Fearing that his driver, having earlier been told that Sir Hugh would be two or three hours, had settled into some cozy inn for a brew, the baronet considered the possibility of hiring a hackney carriage. Fortune smiled on him, however, in the person of his friend Hopkins, who arrived in his carriage just as Hugh was considering the tongue-lashing he would receive