Thank you so much for reviewing!
This chapter took me a lot of time because of the historical research. Dates and facts are as accurate as possible.

IMPORTANT NOTICE to avoid confusion: In the British Navy, Commander is lower than Captain, therefore Lee is only a Lieutenant here.

Disclaimer: I only own my own story line and my own characters.

May 1803

Ballrooms and politics

William Adama

Bill was annoyed, utterly annoyed with this beautiful, intriguing creature and he decided that he had been fooled. He had thought that she was different from all the other high society ladies, but she was just the same, secretly praising her own so called superiority over him and his family. Not even the spark she had lightened somewhere within him could made up to that - she had already crushed it under the heels of her undoubtedly very expensive shoes. What was she thinking? Introducing Kara to this picture perfect Agathon girl, just to make his beautiful daughter feel bad? For the millionth time he cursed the code of conduct, he would have loved to give her a piece of his mind right here right now and tell her outright what he thought. It pained him that he could not even get his daughter out of Miss Agathon's claws as her father and the Cains demanded his attention.

While he tried to follow the conversation, he noticed that Leopold and the older Agathon boy had joined the couple. His son seemed to ask the girl something and she looked at her brother, as if looking for help. Only when he nodded reassuringly she let Lee lead her to the dance floor.

"Commander, what is your opinion on what is happening in India at the moment?", Amiral Cain ripped him out of his thoughts, "I am well aware of Mr Agathon's position, but what about you?" Bill had made up his mind weeks ago and had also discussed it a lot with Leopold, but the Admiral was not somebody who accepted other peoples' points of view easily, on the contrary. If rumours were true, then he usually disagreed and he disagreed very loudly. Maybe the saying did apply to him - dogs that barked didn't bite. But on the other hand, how would someone who did not bite back aquire the post of a rear admiral? Adama had the feeling that the reason was standing right in front of him, dressed in a dark blue gown. A panther was the only image that came to his mind when he looked at her - elegant, cunning and ready to brutally strike in the right moment.

" I consider stationing 6,000 of our men permanently there with the Peshwa a debatable move", Bill started, "as we soon might need all of our men here. Napoleon is shaking his fists on the other side of the Channel. We are on the edge of war gentlemen, I am sure of that." Yes, he was sure of it and he hated it. He had seen enough pain and death, heard enough gunfire, he didn't need it anymore. War was always a risk and he had always been willing to take it - but for some reason he was not ready for his son to go. "If you would excuse me for a moment", Mrs Cain spoke up, her voice cold. When she curtsied and disappeared into the crowd, the commander tried to focus again on the two men in front of him. "Addington has given them an ultimatum. Do you think Bonaparte will act on it?", Mr Agathon asked. He only got an annoyed growl from the admiral. "Addington is a weak idiot! The way he handled Amiens - that's what brought us into this situation. He can go to hell as far as I am concerned!" William was slightly taken aback, he had never dared to speak like that in the middle of a ballroom.

Suddenly Mrs Cain emerged again, Mrs Agathon and Ms Roslin trailing behind her. The later looked as if she had bitten on something sour and he quickly wondered if it had anything to do with himself. He should not worry about it, he decided then. Apparently, the panther had heard the last words when they joined the circle. "Ms Roslin, pray, now please tell us what you think about Henry Addington", she probbed, a dangerous gleam in her eyes. "I think the whole situation, and I mean being in a conflict with France, is so very unfortunate", she answered calmly, though he could see that she had to work hard to keep herself together. Apparently Cain had somehow gotten under her skin. It was also obvious that she was avoiding the question, what reasons could she have for that?

"Well, yes Ms Roslin, but that is not what I meant. What do you think about Abbington as a person? After all, you are so very experienced in the interaction with politicians", the other woman answered, making him raise an eyebrow. After what Ellen had hinted about Rolin and Adar he should not be surprised that now somebody suggested that she entertained relationships to other politicians, but it somehow still bothered him more than he cared to admit. "I am sorry to disappoint you Mrs Cain, but I am not closely enough aquainted with him to be a judge of his character", she tried to settle the affair once and for all. Her contestant seemed not satisfied, she obviously tried to land another blow. "So you are of the opinion that we should not fight at all? We have the best Navy in the world, that French dwarf is nothing against England!"

Searching for approval, she looked into her audience's faces. Mrs Agathon was silent, but she did not move away from Roslin, as if she was guarding her back. Mr Agathon simply stood there, seemingly a bit lost for words as well. Bill had the impression that he was great with facts and figures, but come woman and her words laced in double meanings, he did not know how to cope with it. The Admiral stared at his wife adoringly as if she had just hung the moon in the sky. And Ms Roslin - she was radiating anger, hot like the sun and he was afraid he would burn his fingers if he came too close. Depite all the annoyance he felt towards her, he would have loved to get her out of this room and somewhere quiet where he could listen to her real opinion. Other people might say women had no place in politics and war, but William Adama was not so sure.

Thank you so much for reading!

Random historical facts:

- The Treaty of Bassein was a pact between the British East India Company and Baji Rao II, the Maratha Peshwa of Pune (Poona). It was signed on 31 December 1802 after the Battle of Poona. It played a part in the dissolution of the Maratha Empire, this let the East India Company gain territories in west India in 1818.
- Britain declared war at France on 18 May 1803. Even after the Treaty of Amiens, no durable peace had been restored, they argued about Malta, France still interfered with Britsh trade, the French did not vacate the occupied Holland etc.
- Henry Addington was the Prime Minister 1801-1804. He was basically kicked out of office and William Pitt the Younger became the new Prime Minister. 1803 Addington was married while Pitt had next to nothing to do with women, there were rumours about homosexuality but they were never confirmed.