[ The 'yes' is there on the tip of his tongue almost immediately but Claude doesn't give him the chance to utter it. Instead, he just gives a laugh, lips curving up crookedly in a faint smirk. ]

What? And here I thought you'd be enjoying that, masochist that you are. [ He's just grinning at the other man now, though he does push to his feet and offers Claude a deeply apologetic bow. Even if the laughter in his eyes ruins some of the effect of it. ]

My apologies, Your Dukishness. I will have to make amends for this horrific oversight on my part. How can I make it up to you? A walk under the stars, perhaps? A midnight tryst in the... you know what, I don't even know where they have midnight trysts around here yet. [ He huffs, before pausing to give Claude a wink. ]

In which case... care to show me?