He realizes a beat too late that he's dragged them both down into his discomfort, and rises so he doesn't have to make eye contact with either one of them. He'll stoke the fire in the stove - yes, that's always a fine way to distract himself from the fact that's ruined a perfectly suitable moment.

There's a pile of wood in the kitchen specifically for cooking purposes, not too far away from the table but inconvenient enough that he has to turn his back to Fitzjames to retrieve the fuel. He doesn't meet Rama's eyes either; he just needs a moment to come back to himself.

"Take advantage of the hot springs," he says suddenly. "That's what you should do. Take advantage of the hot springs."