Free The Chess Queen Enigma by Colleen Gleason

differences in the scent, granularity, makeup, and flammability of face powder, including—”
    â€œRight, then. So it’s possible the person who wrote the note to Pix is here this evening.”
    â€œIt’s not only possible, it’s nearly certain.” Mina had a mutinous look in her eyes. “Yes, the individual who is Pix’s client is present at this ball—that very same person whom we believe is the Ankh. I’ve known the identity of the Ankh for months, and that suspect is also here tonight.”
    â€œYou know who the Ankh is?” This was news to me.
    Mina seemed to shrink back. “I am fairly certain I know who it is. But I am not going to name the individual. Not yet.”
    â€œIn case you’re wrong?”
    â€œI’m a Holmes. I’m never wrong.”
    â€œThen why won’t you tell me—”
    â€œMiss Stoker, we do not have time to discuss the veracity of my suspicions. At least, not at the moment. We are here to watch over Princess Lurelia, and, now that there is reason to believe she is here, to investigate the person who wrote the note to Mr. Pix. I have been doing the latter, and I merely wanted to share with you what I’ve found. And in the meanwhile, if you should encounter any female who carries the scent of vanilla in her face powder—”
    â€œAnd how the blooming Pete should I know that? I would have to be close enough to embrace anyone to even have an inkling of what—”
    â€œMiss Stoker, must you always argue my suggestions into the ground? I was merely suggesting that if you noticed any woman putting face powder on in the ladies’ retiring room, you should attempt to determine if it is vanilla-scented. And then identify whether is has a bit of sparkle in it too. Perhaps you could ask to use some for your own nose. It is a bit shiny.”
    My jaw hurt, for my teeth were clamped tightly together. “Very well, then, Mina.”
    As we made our way back to Lurelia, who’d remained a discreet distance during our conversation, there was a loud trumpeting sound, and the three of us turned as one to see the orchestra’s platform rise slowly from the ground across the dark-swathed floor. Celebratory music and an added array of sparkling lights accompanied it, announcing the beginning of the dancing. When the platform had lifted the musicians approximately five feet off the ground, the orchestra transitioned into the first dance: a minuet.
    â€œI shall continue to pursue my investigations while the two of you dance,” Mina said, looking beyond my shoulder. “I have no intention of wasting my time turning about the floor.”
    I pivoted. Two young men—neither of whom I found attractive, interesting, or otherwise worth spending my timewith—were approaching. Blast it. I did not want to spend my first dance avoiding Baron Leiflett’s oversized feet! It was nearly impossible to do so, and that meant the rest of the evening I would be dancing on injured feet. Evening slippers are so flimsy.
    Nevertheless, I sighed, and when he offered it I took Leiflett’s arm. This was going to be a most trying evening.
    I wasn’t wrong. The night plodded on and on, just like my dance partners. I began to wish a vampire would show up just so I’d have something interesting to do. If I hadn’t promised Mina I’d dance with Mr. VanderBleeth and keep him away from Lurelia, I would have sneaked out after three dances.
    However, the first of my waltzes with Mr. Dancy was a definite bright spot.
    â€œMiss Stoker, at last. I have been waiting all evening to take you into my arms”—I gave him a look of pretend shock, but a little smile twitched free—“and spin you around on the treads,” he continued. His smile made him even more handsome, and flashed a dimple I didn’t realize he had.
    â€œYour Highness . . . if I may,” said a flat American