Rather than be put off, there's a smile, her eyes turning down, looking at her glass to hide it away. Whether it was that apparently, he hadn't been too bothered by it, or that Barrayar would like her.

"I am glad to hear it. My advisors told me if I had no luck with you, I ought to go to them, next. Propose a marriage to honour both our people and secure the alliance." Another mouthful, laughter filling her words. "A dry serious Barrayaran. I've heard they barely even dance except when they drink." The filter through of stories by propaganda from the UIC. Tall tales and exaggerations.