He did sound as if they'd had an affair, he realized, but common sense dictated that he should treat this situation no differently than if they had. Mrs. Finch hadn't believed their story after seeing them herself, so he doubted anyone else outside their family members would. Even if her family wasn't the type of to make demands, society could be ruthless (he knew as much after months of calls for him to be arrested for an accident) and there was no telling what could happen to her or her family if Mrs. Finch was anything less than discreet.
"I'm sure you're glad for it," he said self-deprecatingly. This—his home—was not built with a wife in mind, nor was he in a state of mind where taking a wife suddenly would have done either of them well. (And, besides, she didn't seem to like him much, did she?)
"I can't say I've been in any situation like this." Translation: he did not make a habit of getting in trouble with unwed ladies. "But if you need anything... Don't hesitate to write." It was the good, gentlemanly thing to offer, even if he doubted she'd take him up on it.
"I'm sure you're glad for it," he said self-deprecatingly. This—his home—was not built with a wife in mind, nor was he in a state of mind where taking a wife suddenly would have done either of them well. (And, besides, she didn't seem to like him much, did she?)
"I can't say I've been in any situation like this." Translation: he did not make a habit of getting in trouble with unwed ladies. "But if you need anything... Don't hesitate to write." It was the good, gentlemanly thing to offer, even if he doubted she'd take him up on it.
— way too attractive set by mj <3 —