Lady Gwendolyn laughed. "Oh, and you have me pinned down so neatly, milord! I shall have to surprise you somehow." She made a great show of thinking, a gloved finger to her chin, her head tilted to the side. "Hm... ah ha! I have hit upon it! I shall be serious at you."
She paused and said, with more gentleness than she ever showed, "I was very deeply sorry to hear of your wife. Aside from your alarming prediliction for Tory politics, you are a very decent sort, and you are not nearly ton enough to accept something like that easily. If you will accept my advice, poor as it is- simply do not mention it! If you pretend nothing is wrong, all others will take their lead from you. The children too, most likely." Lady Gwendolyn extended her hands to him. "There. Now, dance the minuet with me and I shall promise to keep off of politcs for the entire set. Such sacrifices I make for you, sir!"