His expression grew mildly pensive. "She's doing well enough," he said. "But she's having a bit of a hard time of it, I think. A lot of detentions on top of all of her school work. It's a bit embarrassing, she says."
He could confide that in her, he thought. After all, they were sort of seeing each other, really.
"Wine would be perfect," he said. "And cake as well." He let her lead him to a sitting room, somewhere that wasn't the entrance hall. Before they sat, though, he pulled her closer with a light tug of his hand.
"I'm sorry I didn't owl while I was away," he murmured sincerely. "That was bad of me." He skimmed fingers across her cheek softly, and then down her jaw and under her lower lip. "I did think of you often, though."