The Chess Queen Enigma Read Online Free

princess’s chaperone to musicales, teas, and soirées? Rides in the park? And whatever else young royals did for amusement?
    I could think of few things I would
less
like to spend my time doing.
    â€œHow long will the princess be in London?” ventured Miss Stoker. I noticed she wasn’t looking at me either.
    â€œNo more than a month, I daresay,” our mentor replied. “And as it is Second High Season from now until the end of October, there will be plenty of opportunity for you to show her a varied and exciting time.”
    A month?
    â€œIs the princess in danger? I mean to say, do you expect anything untoward to happen?” I asked.
    â€œNot at all,” replied Princess Alix. “But Lurelia is engaged to be married in six months, and it is incumbent upon us to ensure that she returns to Betrovia fully prepared to be wed, and with absolutely no hint of a scandal attached to her. Anything other than a continued spotless reputation could put her marriage at risk. I need not say we do not want a repeat of the previous debacle.”
    This time I did exchange looks with Miss Stoker. Considering the fact that during our brief acquaintance we’d visited an opium den, encountered two dead bodies, allied ourselves with a pickpocket, and been held captive in a vampire’s hideaway—not to mention nearly died at the hands of the Ankh—I wasn’t certain we could guarantee Princess Lurelia’s reputation would remain spotless if she were encouraged into our company.
    â€œRight then,” Evaline said. “When are they due to arrive?”
    â€œTomorrow,” I replied, feeling as if I’d just announced a death sentence.
    â€œ
Tomorrow?
”
    â€œIndeed,” said Miss Adler. “Princess Lurelia decided to join the trip at the last minute, hence the urgency of our meeting today. There will be an official Welcome Event at the museum late tomorrow afternoon. Of course the two of you will be in attendance.” Her voice was smooth and assertive, but her gaze was sharp and unyielding.
    Evaline and I exchanged glances once more, but the die was cast. We were to be babysitting a princess for the nextmonth. I could only imagine what the girl would be like: spoilt, fairy-headed, and interested only in shopping, dancing, and her forthcoming nuptials. I wasn’t certain which would be worse: listening to the girl prattle on about wedding plans already in place, or having to offer advice and suggestion in order to help her make them.
    As we left Miss Adler’s office, the note Mr. Pix had given Evaline crinkled in my skirt pocket. At least I had something interesting to look forward to.

Miss Holmes
Wherein the Importance of a Matter Is Argued
    S ince I would be at the mercy of a princess and her social whims for the next month, I decided it would be to my benefit to find out as much as I could about the Betrovians and their visit.
    I remembered reading something about the chessboard Miss Adler mentioned. It was ancient and of Byzantine origin, but other than that, I knew little detail about the situation that had nearly caused our two countries to go to war. Whatever the event, it had happened three centuries ago and was hardly pertinent to my daily work.
    Miss Stoker wasn’t convinced about the necessity of spending time on such research, but she had no choice but to receive (though likely not fully comprehend the implications of) the information I’d gathered as we rode to the Welcome Event late the next afternoon.
    Unsurprisingly, Evaline’s first concern was about that disreputable pickpocket’s client, rather than the Betrovians. It was six o’clock when I climbed into her carriage, and she immediately began to pester me.
    â€œI’ve been waiting to hear from you since yesterday, and not a word. Not even a brief note. I thought you were a Holmes! I thought you knew everything! What did you find out about Pix’s