Thank you so much for your patience and bearing my slow updates. You know how it is - live just gets in the way.
Now, we are still in april and get A LOT of Laura-introspection an cynism.
Disclaimer: I don't own BSG, and neither any real historical character, only my OC's.

April 1804

Fickle like the Weather

Laura Roslin

Laura found herself quite busy during the rest of april. This was neither unwelcome nor unexpected, still she would have liked to have more time to spend with a certain man, maybe have tea or take a stroll through Hyde Park. Instead, a neverending stream of politicians wanted to be entertained, gain her favour or both and mothers pushed their daughters towards her so she might help them get their footing in polite society. By the end of the month, her servants seemed to be quite exasperated, especially since a couple of the visitors had been outright rude.

Then there were issues in Caprica Manor that needed to be ressolved, thankfully Billy would be able to sort it out with her instructions. Really, as much as she would have loved to, there was no time for her to disappear into the countryside right now. She had to order new dresses, new hats, redo one bedroom since the furniture had come out of fashion - life was so costly nowadays! People were also constantly hassling her about giving a ball - however, since she never did, this wasn't too much of a bother. Most Londoners would have developed a negative reputation by now. Laura was simply called "excentric". The power of money, she supposed.

Of course there were the occasional pleasant encounters, such as Isabella dropping off Lila for Laura to spoil. On the other hand, she also had to keep her eyes out for Richard who was flirting through London society, breaking hearts wherever he went. She would have to rule him in if that didn't stop or if his dear mama Lady Matlock didn't act soon. Speaking of Lady Matlock, said lady had also taken up quite a bit of her time, complaining about her health and her good-for-nothing sons. While she was definitely exaggerating on the first, desperatedly trying to get the attention of her husband who was suspiviously absent most of the time. Just another unhappy marriage in Laura's book of unhappy marriages. It was nearly full by now. Laura had to agree on the second aspect though - Richard was the only Matlock she could hold a reasonable conversation with. The other ones were more interested in gambling and hunting, though Richard's older brother was at least absolutely devoted to his children and while not overly affectionate, as far as Laura knew did not cheat on his wife.

One other thing in particular that worried Laura was the fragile health of Georgiana Cavendish. Contary to Lady Matlock, Lady Cavendish was actually getting quite sickly, her pallour pale or even slightly yellowish. It pained Laura to see such a beauty wilt before her own eyes. The Countess and herself had a lot in common and shared certain interests, such as the interest in politics, fashion, charity, but also the interest in extramarital affairs and unavailable men. The only difference was that Laura was not caught in a ménage a trois and neither drunk the amounts of alcohol that Lady Cavendish consumed. In fact, the woman was another example that hardened Laura's ressolve against marriages, especially if money was involved. It always was.

She sighed, looking out of the window that looked over her small garden. At least Caprica kept her a weltthy woman - she didn't even want to think about where she would be without the money. As sad as it was, the ton was merchantile and especially "old money" would make certain people keep their mouths shut. She just hoped Richard would be successful and find that silly girl. What was she thinking, running off with that scoundrel?! If she hadn't by now, she would find out soon enough that he was after her money, that his love wasn't true. And even if it were - it was unlikely that love would withstand constant hunger and pain. When Laura had been a young girl, another young lady had whispered to her at a ball how much in love she was with a redcoat and how much she dreamed of running away with the man. She had claimed that true love was more powerful than anything, that it could withstand even the biggest obstacles. Laura had not been convinced, but some idealism she had had at that tender age might have believed it. Now, living in London and seeing what hunger and illness did to people, she did not belief that anymore. Unnecessary to say, said girl had not met an officer but a younger son of a country squire, still lived a relatively comfortable life, born two children, l and died trying for a third. Fortune favoured the welthy, but apparently not always.

Then, in all that cynism, there was the image of very blue eyes, hands stroking her hair, as if she were precious, not a commodity. It wasn't often men treated her with reverence. She - no let's not go there, she scolded herself.

Random Regency Fact

Lady Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire (1757-1806) really was what we would call an "influencer" in politics (for the Whigs) and fashion. She was also well-known for her beauty and charisma, her character, her writing and interest in science, her lovers and her unusual marital arrangement with her husband and his lover Lady Elizabeth Foster. She died, possibly due to ruining her body with alcohol and other substances.