Byerly turned Sonia down? He blinks a moment in surprise. That - okay, that's not what he expected. For Byerly to turn Sonia down when she's actively offering ... his respect for the man ticks up a bit. As does his guilt.

But that's not what he should be focusing on here. He thinks he knows what Byerly may have been talking about, given their own conversations and the context Sonia is giving him now. Had ... Byerly told her their secret? Is it possible? He thinks she would treat him differently if she knew, though. He's quiet a moment as he thinks. "A different image of Barrayar," he says after a moment. "A newer one. More room for people like you and him."