It's not quite a trap, not really. The key to Miles' charisma is his ability to come from a genuine place, even his motives are anything but. He wants to get out of this encounter more or less unscathed - that's true. But Tarn doing well among the Barrayarans? Hell, that's also true. And some part of him would love to see Tarn take apart any man who dares insinuate Tarn is less capable for having an apparently female body.

Of course, he wouldn't fucking want Tarn anywhere near Sonia, but - well, if Tarn really comes over, then most of the threat is neutralized, isn't it? Right?

He feels a bit like he's digging a hole here. But - well, this is what's happening, so he's going to roll with it.

"I imagine you aren't," he says after a moment to let those thoughts whirl through his head. "But I'm not fooling you. And I know something that Cetaganda does not: Barrayar is going to win this war."