[Mixed feelings.. that surely Howl would be quite aware of if they did indeed Bond. There's a small pause before he lowers his eyes a little, staring at the teapot instead of Howl himself, replying gently.]

Of course we should get to know each other better, if that were to be the case. But... it is a little difficult to say, but it was not so long before I arrived here that my wife passed away, and we had loved each other very much in our time together. I hope you can understand, where intimacy is concerned, it is not such an easy thing to move on.