He rises as well, but turns in the other direction, towards the stable doors. There's guilt twisting a knot into the pit of his stomach, because he's gone and kissed a woman he doesn't love, a woman who loves him, and doesn't that mean he's just the worst kind of person ever? Because maybe, for a second there, she thought that it meant something it didn't.

"If you will excuse me, Countess." He offers her a bow, eyes quiet, face unreadable. "I should return to my quarters. There is much to be done today."