“Hm,” said the Count, rubbing his lips and regarding Miles with cool approval. “Interesting. Well. For your fourth consoling thought, I would point out that in this venue” – a wave of his finger took in Vorbarr Sultana, and by extension Barrayar – “acquiring a reputation as a slick and dangerous man, who would kill without compunction to obtain and protect his own, is not all bad. In fact, you might even find it useful.”
