Ethan scoffed at the idea of ever having tried to murder Ripper here - he'd put him in harm's way many times before, but Ethan had never been the sort to murder someone. After all, most of his entertainment came from mucking about in the Watcher's life, and where would he get his jollies if Rupert had upped and died on him? Honestly.
He did, however, look very smug when Rupert praised his magical prowess. He would gloat about this later, he decided, just because he liked to do anything to irritate his lover. It made things fun, after all.
"My services don't come cheap, either," he added, fixing Rupert with a devilish grin before looking again to Buffy. "Your Watcher here has been keeping me... entertained in the meantime."