"I'm already on one knee and everything," he points out, beaming. It's true -- he's still kneeling in front of her, even if he doesn't have a ring or anything. And no idea where he'd go about getting something like that, here and now. All he can do, because it's better than nothing and she deserves a better proposal than his realization about Barrayaran propriety, is reach up and unfasten his dog tags, offering them to her in lieu of a ring. The sentiment is similar, at least.

"Guess I am. I can do a little better, though." York clears his throat, which could just be to lighten the mood except when he speaks again his voice is low and perfectly serious. He means this one. "Carolina, will you marry me?"