Now that he's started to think about Lady Sharon again, it's a problem. Not only that he's embarrassed; but also that he has been assiduously keeping her out of his thoughts, because being parted from her, his own not!daughter, hurts his heart.

So he forces a smile, puts on his fool's facade once more. It's counterproductive, he knows, but he can't help it.

"Fine, fine. I'll tell her it's because you're the sort of person who prefers to wallow, rather than face facts!"