According to the countess, vows matter on Barrayar the way they don't elsewhere--and she seems so serious about things, in ways just about nobody else here is. It makes her word sound strong. Believable. That's the kind of person it's not hard to help out, because it really feels like you can trust her.

"Then I agree." It's still a good trade: work (like she isn't already doing work) and loyalty for a knife and a promise that this won't end up like the hospital. The option to leave if necessary. The countess could have offered less, and she still might have considered it. Satisfied, Beth glances Rani's way. "Is there anything else we have to do?"

To make this agreement real, to safeguard a reputation she doesn't have a lot of experience worrying about... If anybody knows, it's obviously going to be Rani.