He makes an approving sort of sound, faintly surprised but warm enough. Apparently taken off-guard that she would respond, but appreciating it, and giving her a renewed appraisal before he moves on, and the next person arrives.

"Forgive me," she murmurs, before taking a step back. There is business to attend to, maybe letters she can write, work to be done.

She cannot leave, though, without essentially abandoning her wife, and she stops herself before she can even begin to turn.