"Mm." Sonia sips at her wine and smiles brilliantly at him, tickled by his adhesion to Barrayaran customs rather than Betan. Her own Barrayaran accent isn't nearly as thick as most of the other attendees and state officials, a few traces of that Betan twang still lingering here and there in her voice.

"He certainly hosts one," she concedes, her smile tilted as she brushes her hair over her shoulder. "But I'm afraid my cousin isn't much of a party planner. HIs idea of entertainment is, hmm...not especially well-suited to state affairs." She looks amused more than anything, and offers a slight bow of her head. "I took the liberty of handling the details. Ah, but forgive me for not properly introducing myself -- Lady Sonia Vorpatril."