"Darling Tori, you know you needn't apologize. It's not your fault I'm still bitter. I wish I could find someone, but the cards don't seem to hold such things for me. You, however, have a lovely hand dealt to you," he said with a charming grin, squeezing her hand back. "And I am so exceedingly pleased that you're happy." And he was. If anyone deserved it, it was the happy, sweet Astoria. He was so much harder to offend than that, and he'd spoken true -- it wasn't her fault he had no luck in love. He had tried, though the last couple years since showed a pretty good dearth in that regard.
"You are, as always, a perfect hostess," he complimented her. He hadn't been to a proper tea except with his grandmother lately, and his grandmother could be ever so dour and strict. "I've heard of that one, though I've not read it," he confessed. "I read one called The Three Musketeers a while back, and it was a lot of fun."
Rolf described each of them and told her stories, hands waving as well as he described scenes or people or events to her. "You'll do it someday, I'm sure. You're still young, and I bet your beloved would be happy to show you the world." He'd be more than happy to give her recommendations that the two would likely enjoy. He envied her a little, for a moment - someone to travel with, that would be lovely. "I do know that I'm lucky, though, but it is sometimes lonely as well. Which is one big reason I'm so happy to be back with you, my friend."