Thank you so much for the reviews, they mean a lot to me!
I have to admit, I messed up the names of the games - Whist is a game for 4 people that I intend to use later. Therefore Laura and Bill are playing Piquet now. Okay, shall we see who wins the games of Piquet? Let's go!

Disclaimer: I only own my OCs and the storyline

October 1803

In the Name of the Game

William Adama

He dealed the cards confidently as usual, giving both players the 12 required cards. It was distracting, really, the grace with which she took them, holding them delicately in her hands. Her features were calm, the kind of calm one would expect from an experienced Player. He studied her intendly, the way her grey-green eyes were fixed on the cards in front of her, the swing of her nose and her soft pink lips. He realized she probably hadn't really taken care of her teint in Hertfordshire as her skin wasn't the colour of ivory anymore, rather a bit golden. Most of the other London ladies would probably mind, but to him it simply made her look healthy, more approachable, less like a China doll. She must have realized his open staring as she raised her eyes to meet his. The corners of her lips turned upwards.

"Are you trying you luck in reading me?", she wanted to know.

"Well, a good Player always tries to figure out his oponent", he anwered casually.

"And have you found something out yet?", she wanted to know, but he just grinned.

"As if I would tell you! Now, shall we start?

When the began, a few things became very clear very soon:
Firstly, they both had an exeptionally good poker face and were masters in keeping it upright.
Secondly, they were equals in wit and tactics.
Thirdly, they would not let the other one take the points easily.

To himself, Bill could admit that, even if his pride and gamer's ambition forbid him to let her win (she would have figured that out anyway and probably called him out on it), he wouldn't really mind loosing the challenge. Either way it meant passing time with Laura and he found he didn't mind the idea of dancing at Vauxhall Gardens so much, as long as it was with her.

It was fun and it was close but in the end Bill won the last, decisive game. Laura actually pouted, it looked so adorable that he had a hard time resisting to kiss it off her face.

"Ms Roslin, it seems as if you will see Kensington by horseback after all!", he commented, not quite able to surpress a grin.

She actually rolled her eyes then.

"Very well. We shall ride next time I come visiting then."

He was relieved when she didn't look too upset, after all he didn't want to scare her away.

"If bringing your horse is too much trouble, you could ride Karolina's horse, I am sure that would be fine with her."

"No, it's fine", Laura refused, "I will take Blackbird with me."

The man smiled at her, he didn't really mind either way, but he was curious to see what kind of horse his friend had.

"Blackbird? Because she is dark?", Adama wanted to know.

"No, because she is white", the woman deadpanned.

When he looked at her quizically, she had to laugh,

"I'm sorry I am just joking. Yes, she is black", the lady tried to answer while the giggles kept bubbling out of her.

"This is a very creative name then", he teased her a bit, the irony very obvious in his voice, "but a very pretty one nevertheless."

"Thank you", she replied, "my other horses have easier names - from One to Thirteen."

It took him a moment to realize what she had just said, that she actually owned fourteen horses. He was very sure she didn't want to brag with it, that it had just slipped out. Still, he wanted to know more.

"Now I am certain you are joking Ms Roslin", he answered, "even though fourteen is a huge number of horses, I am sure you with your exceptional memory can remember more names. They are mostly carriage horses, I guess?"

"I am joking", she assured him, "I know all their names. Well, I still have my brother's hunter, two cream coloured ponies and two working horses in Hertfordshire. The rest are all carriage horses, though a couple are broken in for riding as well. There are two silver-grey Hackney Horses, the ones that a currently standing in front of your door, and six Cleveland Bays."

He nodded appreciative.

"You seem to have more knowledge about those animals than I gave you credit for at first", he commented.

Laura smiled at him sweetly.

"Well, I do know a few things about them, but I don't think for a moment that I could rival you. However, I might be able to rival you at Piquet if you dare to play against me some time again."

Now it was Bill who was laughing.

"Definitely, I love a challenge."

Happy new year to all of you! May it be full of luck!