[ she could hit him for that. she knows she could. she knows he probably wants her to. but she doesn't.

she's close enough now that she can step directly into his personal space, even if he isn't facing her. she doesn't touch him. ]

And all this romantic talk of wanting to run away with me? [ she tries to make it sound mocking. she only half succeeds. ] Which is it, Byerly? A patriot who will stay to bring a new, terrible era to Barrayar, or a coward who will flee so he won't have to suffer the consequences of his actions?