Oh - ah. Hm. Well. The maiden is a little bolder than he was anticipating. He'd thought that'd spark a little fire in her, but not exactly enough fire to make her kick out shovels and get very close and that sort of thing...He wonders what his excuse might be if General Count Vorkosigan comes across them and get worked up over Byerly's advances on his niece? cousin? sister? lord help him, surely not wife. Don't worry, sir, I was just checking her over for defects...Preserve him, but that makes him sound like Ivan.

Actually, maybe this would be a job for Ivan, now that he thinks about it...

"Hm." He reaches out his thumb and forefinger to gently tug on a loose lock of her hair. "What exactly should I be looking for, milady?"