Hands clench beneath the table. The polite thing to do would be to offer his hand, to be as open and sociable as society expects, but he had never enjoyed being the centre of attention. People had introduced him to the back of the hands as much as its palm.

So he simply offers a discreet smile. His voice is calm and pleasant.

"Thank you, Diana." He looks away for a second. First name basis are always difficult. "For at least making this evening a little more bearable."

Being surrounded by people? Also difficult.