“If they’re making their come outs, we will not be able to avoid it.” John had already decided what he wanted in a spouse. Someone who was not interested in politics, or causes, or charities. A lady who would not bother him about what he should do. He’d be happy if she read nothing but novels and knew only polite conversation. In other words, someone the exact opposite of his mother and his twin sister. An arranged match was looking better and better.

“I need a lady who will be acceptable to my father.” Giff scowled. “Excellent bloodlines are important. She must also be intelligent and not afraid to stand up to him. He detests cowards.”

“I’m surprised he did not make a match for you.” John’s mother had tried that with his sister to no avail and had suggested she provide him a list of names. Of course Aurelia’s godmother had helped her stand her ground until she’d found Lytton and married him. John had been lucky that the lady his father had wanted him to wed eloped with another man before they married. But that was four years ago. He’d been the head of the family for over three years, and it was time to take a wife.

Take a wife. It was his mantra until he completed his task.

“Wouldn’t have worked.” Giff shook his head. “Any lady who would do what her father or mother said wouldn’t have enough strength of character to be a daughter of his.”

“I don’t envy you your search.” Meeting the type of lady John wanted had to be much easier. After all, his sister had given up finding a husband because they all wanted a docile lady without much intelligence.

“I’ll find her,” Giff said. “And when I do, I’ll do everything in my power to make sure she marries me.”

John didn’t want to know to what ends his friend would go. With the type of lady Giff wanted, anything other than her full agreement would get him in trouble. “I daresay it will not be that hard for either of us. We’re titled, not bad-looking, and wealthy.”

“Speak for yourself,” Giff grumbled. “Until I don a leg-shackle, I have only what my father gives me. To be fair, he did increase my allowance when he gave me the marquis courtesy title. I just hope I meet someone who doesn’t care about a love match. Messy things, those.”