Miles in Love - Lois McMaster Bujold [167]
She clapped her hands in enthusiasm, then paused in doubt. "Will that work? I didn't think the crusty old Council of Counts was susceptible to what Tien used to call romantic drivel."
"Oh," he said airily, "I'm sure they are. I'm a cadet member of the Counts myself—we're only human, after all. Besides, we can point out that every time a Komarran looks up—well, half the time— they'll see this Barrayaran gift hanging overhead, and know what it's doing to create their future. The power of suggestion and all that. It could save us the expense of putting down the next Komarran conspiracy."
"I hope so," she said. "I think it's a lovely idea."
He grinned, clearly gratified. He looked over at the Professora, and away, shifted around, and drew a small packet from his trouser pocket. "I don't know, Madame Vorsoisson, whether Gregor will give you a medal or not, for your quick thinking and cool response in the Southport bay—"
She shook her head. "I don't need—"
"But I thought you should have something to remember it all by. This." He stuck out his hand.
She took the packet and laughed. "Do I recognize this?"
"Probably."
She unfolded the familiar wrapping and opened the box to reveal the little model Barrayar from the jeweler's shop in Serifosa, now on a slender chain of braided gold. She held it up; it spun in the light. "Look, Aunt Vorthys," she said shyly, and handed it across for inspection and approval.
The Professora examined it with interest, squinting a trifle. "Very fine, dear. Very fine indeed."
"Call it the Lord Auditor Vorkosigan Award for Making His Job Easier," said Vorkosigan. "You really did, you know. If the Komarrans hadn't already lost their infernal device, they would never have surrendered, even if I'd talked myself blue. In fact, Soudha said something to that effect during our preliminary interrogations last night, so you may consider it confirmed. If not for you, this station would be in a million hurtling pieces by now."
She hesitated. Should she accept—? She glanced at her aunt, who was smiling at her benignly and without apparent misgivings about the propriety of it. Not that Aunt Vorthys was particularly passionate about propriety—that indifference was, in fact, one of the qualities which made her Ekaterin's favorite female relative. Think on that. "Thank you," she said sincerely to Lord Vorkosigan. "I will remember. And I do remember," she added.
"Um, you're supposed to forget the unfortunate part about the pond."
"Never." Her lips curved up. "It was the highlight of the day. Was it some sort of psychic precognition that you laid this by?"
"I don't think so. Chance favors the prepared and all that. Fortunately for my credit, from the outside most people can't tell the rapid exploitation of a belatedly recognized opportunity from deep-laid planning." He positively smirked as she slid the chain over her head. "You know, you're the first girlfr—female friend I've had I've ever succeeded in giving Barrayar to. Not for lack of trying."
Her eyes crinkled. "Have you had a great many girlfriends?" If he hadn't, she'd have to dismiss her whole gender as congenital idiots. The man could charm snakes from their holes, nine-year-olds from locked bathrooms, and Komarran terrorists from their bunkers. Why weren't females following him around in herds? Could no Barrayaran woman see past his surface, or their own cocked-up noses?
"Mmm . . ." A rather long hesitation. "The usual progression, I suppose. Hopeless first love, this and that over the years, unrequited mad crushes."
"Who was the hopeless first love?" she asked, fascinated.
"Elena. The daughter of one of my father's Armsmen, who was my bodyguard when I was young."
"Is she still on Barrayar?"
"No, she emigrated years ago. Had a galactic military career and retired with the rank of captain. She's a commercial shipmaster now."
"Jumpships?"
"Yes."