Mercuxio, in truth, had already decided that the Marsters family was going to be his first and only stop. Settling had factored very much as part of the deal, and somehow he figured if it didn't work out, he could always divorce her. A divorced ex-priest, now a duke, unfortunately had a tasteless ring to it. He didn't go in completely blind, however, he knew that deep down doing so would be foolish.
Advisors informed him on her family history, her tutelage, and the fact that she'd remained unmarried this long was somewhat un-ideal. But perhaps that was part of her appeal. Mercuxio didn't seem to find her desperate for a husband, and in fact, she even seemed more reluctant to do so. She made it clear that she cared for her horses and little else. He could work with that. This, after all, was a union, of state. Not of emotion.
There was little time for that in the current state of things.
"I am looking forward to my son making you very happy," Christine admitted plainly. "Children, of course, would be lovely. But I understand that all of this is very new to you, new duchy, new home, new husband, so take all the time you need to adjust. Merric is very patient. He had a good heart. And the needs of those around him come first."