"Not mercenary, no", he clarified with a huff of mildly disconcerted amusement. "I just mean a suitable marriage. Not suitable by anyone else's definition — just by your own. There are young gentlemen out there who would not simply tolerate your wanderlust but support it. But like I said... if that's what you want to do, it's a challenge you'll have to rise to."

For if Madeleine could find a husband who would both appease her family and encourage her dreams, that would be a rare win-win situation. Something worth hunting and fighting for. It would take time and effort; but she had friends to help. Friends like Arven.

"Are there no boys you went to school with who might do the trick?"