"Ah, but what if the family doesn't want to remain a . . . Count, for instance, forever?  Especially if a Duchess is suddenyl widowed," Hracin asked, heading toward the stairs, "Or, the Barony has fallen on hard times and can't make ends meet much less pay its debts, while a wealthy title-less merchant has a daughter he'd like to marry off?  In each case, more common than the nobility would likely wish publicly known, the son may be forced into a marriage, even if he is the heir to lands, title, and monies.  The first and last may not be enough.  And one cannot eat or drink a title."  He smiled, letting the brazier adn other things float ahead of them.  The brazier acquired a yellow-white aura as it went into the semi-dark, narrow stairway.