"I suppose," By sighs. "If they're undereducated about our customs and our ways. If they've taken time to study Barrayar at all, they'll know that taking out someone's mutie heir isn't exactly a punishment." And then, with a wave of his fingers, acknowledging the pressure of Miles' disapproval every damn time - "Though his deformities are teratogenic, not mutagenic, et cetera, et cetera."

By drops his hand. "In any case, have a little faith in me, won't you? If I told the story of being a time traveler, I'd have sold the story of being a time traveler. With all the little embellishments and lies necessary. I'm very good at this, you know."