His comment had not been directed at her, just a passing observation which he did not wish to degrade her feelings towards her husband's passing. He knew it must be upsetting for her... if he had known of her anger at him he would have swiftly apologised. It was never good to anger a possible source.
"That must have been rather a surprise for you, then," he replied, adopting the same tone. "To come out of such a religious world, sheilded and protected, into the safety of a man's arms and then suddenly to England... I hope you do not mind my asking but - how did it happen? Your discovery, your arrest..."