When he is still the Marquess of Hertford, Lord Archibald Winston Chamberlain makes an ill-advised agreement with his father, Lord Winston Chamberlain, the current Duke of Hertfordshire. The latter is devastated over the death of his beloved Duchess, Lady Grace, and decides that he will not allow his son to experience the pain of losing a spouse he loves.
The Duke’s daughter, who is older than her brother has made a love match, so there is nothing he can do about that, and that makes him all the more determined to intercede with his son and save him from that fate.
When the Marquess is in his twenties, he is informed that his father will arrange a match for him. He appeals to the Duke and a compromise is reached. Lord Archy can find his own wife, but his father has veto power, which he will exercise if he does not agree the selected woman is appropriate for his son. However, if by the age of 30 the Marquess is unmarried, the Duke will select for him.
