[He heard that mumble, and it isn't like he doesn't hear it, though he does let it pass without incident. What comes next puts perspective on more than enough to give him his suspicions, and he turns a growing smile on the Earl.]

Oh dear. Never did imagine I'd be the one to have the old birds and bees conversation with you. [That's going to be a fun hurdle when they reach it. For now, he marks his place in the book and sets it aside to give Astre his full focus.]

It's different for everyone. For me, it was the way I felt around her, like I'd just stepped through the door to my home after a long day's work, the way her laugh made me smile and made my heart skip a beat. Silly as it might sound, it was all true, but it only feels like that in love or infatuation. [He tilted his head, giving a shoulder a playful little scritch.] Which is it for you, do you think?