I am glad you liked the last chapter, let's go on, shall we?
A new character takes the stage and a bit of Laura/Bill fluff...

Disclaimer: I don't own BSG, only my OCs.

31st of December 1803

A Newcomer and an Old Aquaintance

Laura Roslin

What was she doing here, flirting that obviously with William Adama? She really should stop being so stupid. It would only cause gossip and really, that was not what she wanted, for neither of them. But the thought of dancing with him again was simply too tempting. She had long hestitated to accept that she might be physically attracted to the Commander beyond simple neutral observation, beyond friendship. Now, looking at him in this candlelight, she had proof. She simply couldn't keep her eyes off his face. The coat he was wearing brought out the colour of his eyes, eyes that held a curious expression. Laura was used to reading people, to deciphering their intentions, and below the always-guarded expression of her friend, she detected certain traces of desire. Unvoluntarily, her heartbeat sped up and it took all her practice and self restrain not to blush like a little girl.

The last set of dances had just ended and Adama held out his hand for her to take. Not sooner that she had accepted, her partner froze next to her.

"What is it?" she asked.

"There is this man next to Kara. Do you know who that is?"

Laura looked over and nodded, a surprised look on her face.

"That is Lord Anders. I didn't know he was in Town or that he would come though," she noted, "and apparently he is very taken by your daughter."

Indeed, the man stood as closely to the young woman as society permitted, making her giggle in a very uncommon fashion for her. Then, he led her to the dancefloor for the next set of dances.
At this point, Laura realized that the older couple had totally missed the dancing and, even more surious, were still holding hands. Quickly, she let go with quite a bit of regret. Her friend looked at her with a small smile.

"Will you grant me the next dances then?"

"Of course I will," Laura replied decisively.

"So...," Adama began, "what do you know about this Lord?"

"Not wasting any time Commander, do you?" she teased him. "Well, he is from Kent, since his father, the late Lord Anders, died two years ago, he is the head of his family and owns a huge estate called Solfleet and basically half of the county. He has 20.000 pounds a year and is one of the best matches per se. Every mother wants to have him for their daughter. The oldest Agathon son is vaguely aquainted with him."

"It seems you know him quite well," he remarked.

Laura laughed. "That is the gossip everyone knows, Mrs Tigh could have told you that as well, I am sure. However, I am indeed also aquainted with the family which might have given me some more insight. I knew his late mother, Lady Anders, when she was still Lady McDonnell. A charming Scottish woman, really."

What she didn't tell him was that her mother's biggest wish had been to see her married to Taddeus Anders and become Lady of Solfleet. The Commander didn't need to know everything. He also didn't need to know just how surprised the woman was about Lord Anders dancing with a girl so far below his station. As much as it pained her to think that, he was far out of Kara's league, both in terms of wealth as in terms of education or connections. They could simply pray she didn't get her hopes up...

"Did you have a nice Christmas?" she asked, trying to change the topic.

"It was alright. Empty without Lee. I wouldn't have thought I would miss the arguing but it is somehow better than having him gone."

She nodded. "I understand."

Bill looked at her curiously. "What are your plans for the remaining Christmas season?"

"Not much, some dinners to attend. But on the 6th of January we will have a big dinner at Roslin house, the whole household in the servants' kitchen. This is always quite a merry occasion."

"This sounds like a lovely, if very unusual tradition."

"Well, it has its origin in Caprica Manor where my father, God bless his soul, used to give a big celebration on boxing day for all our tennants. I simply adapted it."

The glance he gave her made it hard to subpress a shiver.

"You are indeed a very unsusual woman."

Side to side they kept on watching the dancers before joining them for the next set. Just like the first time, little sparks seemed to fly whenever their hands touched. Each time the dance ripped them apart, it felt harder to let go of her partner. Finally, it was time for the last curtsey.

"It was a pleasure Commander," she smiled, hoping her eyes didn't give away too much.

"The pleasure was all mine, be assured," he answered gallantly before leading her off the dancefloor.

Just when she wanted to continue the smalltalk, Laura saw Mr Ellison coming towards her. Her stomach twisted into a knot, this was the most inconvenient moment possible! She definitely didn't indent to air her dirty laundry in front of the Commander.

"If you would excuse me for a moment," she said brightly before determinedly walking towards the young man, missing Adama's curiously raised eyebrow.

Mr Ellison looked a bit startled when his former lover seemed to take the inititative, but didn't object when she curtsied and then ushered him away into a calmer part of the room.

"How can I help you?" Laura asked, the unspoken 'what do you want' hanging in between them. It wasn't as if they had parted on bad terms, but she had long learned to always be alert in this kind of situation.

"No help needed Ms Roslin," he answered, regaining his composure, "I simply wanted to pay my respects and to introduce you to my wife, as she wasn't at home when you called on us some time ago."

When Laura didn't sound convinced, he added a bit defensively:"I don't know what you came to think of me, but there are no hidden motives. I know better than to anger a woman of your kind."

Laura's smile was only a hint predatorily.

"Oh yes, you definitely know better. Let us find your wife then."

Thank you so much for reading! Stay healthy Inkdrops!