"Ah."

Edward said awkwardly as she revealed the troubles that currently plagued her. Something he hadn't expected or suspected, which left him rather stumped on how to react to the information that his maid had developed feelings for him. Not that it bothered him all that much, his family was of the nouveau riche and his late wife had been the daughter of a professor. Which, admittedly, meant she was better educated but still below Edward's own perceived station in life. Considering he wasn't the oldest brother, it wasn't like he was inheriting any of the family concerns. Not that anyone would have entrusted him with such things even if he'd been the elder.

"Well, I don't know if that is something worth quitting your job over. I am certainly not offended by your revelation, mostly baffled. I am, what? A decade your senior and a widower, I would think a young lady such as yourself would prefer someone a little less weathered. I should think any man would be lucky to catch your eye, so I can't imagine why you think I should deserve better. Especially knowing my history, I should think you deserve better than a man carrying my sins."

The man patted her shoulder as he said that. He was, fairly, certain that wasn't what she would want to hear but he was endeavouring to do his best. Ruth's state of clear distress made the kindly man feel quite a bit of it himself.

"Now, honestly, I think it best we get back inside and perhaps have a cup of tea to fortify our constitution. If needs be, we can chat about this further once we are out of the cold and wet, which will surely do neither of our health well if we continue to linger."