There was one highwayman, but he was pudgy and lacked the purpose and energy that poured out of the Duke of Blackford and affected everyone around him. More disappointed than I expected to be, I turned away.
Emma and I looked at each other through our masks and moved on. At the end of the hall, open double doors led to a flight of stairs. At the bottom was a huge, high-ceilinged ballroom with French doors on the far end, no doubt for access to the gardens. Intricate crystal chandeliers lit by gas lamps hung above the dancers.
As we started down the steps, I looked out over the glittering, masked throng milling about and moving to the music. The room was already crowded. Soon it would be a crush and the society matrons would declare it a success. How were we supposed to unmask a killer in this crowd?
We reached the landing halfway down the stairs where a footman said, “Names, please.”
“The Ice Queen and the Fire Queen,” I said.
“No, your real names.”
I looked at him down my nose and in my haughtiest tone said, “Those are our real names. The Ice Queen and the Fire Queen.”
He raised an eyebrow and then glared at the line backing up behind us. In a loud voice, he proclaimed, “The Ice Queen and the Fire Queen.”
Once we set foot on the polished parquet floor, we were surrounded by gaudy costumes and jewels that sparkled beneath the bright lights. Dancers moved around the center of the room to the music of an orchestra tucked to one side of the stairs. Emma and I tried to make one circle of the room together to see if we recognized anyone, but we were soon separated in the crush of people who each wore a different flashy outfit and a different perfume. Without knowing who wore which costume, we found the half masks hid identities.
By the time I reached the stairs again, I’d received two indecent proposals. I hadn’t expected that sort of party. I climbed up two steps, but I didn’t see any sign of Emma or the Duke of Blackford in his highwayman disguise. All I saw was a sea of multicolored masks and costume hats.
I was frustrated as well as amazed and dazzled by the brilliance of so much wealth and power. I had to remind myself to ignore the overwhelming mix of inherited position and status as the crowd swirled and shifted around me. I couldn’t afford to be impressed, not with so much at stake. Blackford would be wise to show up now and tell me what he wanted done, so we could take care of the problem and then enjoy this carnival mix of glamour and music. I found, with my identity hidden, I wanted to join the waltzing throng.
I stepped down from the staircase and wandered among the crowd watching the dancers. I felt as if I walked alone, swallowed up in a shiny, writhing rainbow. The only thing I wished for was that the highwayman would whisk me out on the floor for a waltz. No doubt the duke was a superb dancer. He did everything with grace.
Since that wouldn’t happen, I’d settle for a cool breeze. Several hundred bodies pressed close together created a heat similar to that in Sir Broderick’s study. Oppressive.
I bumped into Joan of Arc and said, “Excuse me.” Then I looked more closely at the square chin and wide mouth and burst out laughing. “I didn’t think I’d see you here, Lady Julia.”
“Ssh. I can come in disguise to these parties and be sure at least half my dance partners have no idea who I am or how much I’m worth.” She started to back her way through the crowd to get away from me.
I grabbed her arm to detain her. “Does the Earl of Waxpool know you’re here?”
“Grandpapa has no idea either my brother or I am here, but he’d be proud of us for finding a way to have fun without being valued like a racehorse.”
“Then I’ll add my congratulations on your brilliant idea.”
“I have nothing more to say to you.”
“It’s not about—that subject.” I hesitated a moment and Lady Julia looked at me sharply. “I need to ask you one question about the day Miss Victoria died.”
She glanced around before she nodded. “Very well. One question.”
“What do you remember about the flower arrangement in Lady Margaret’s parlor?”
“Nothing. Why?”
“Nothing odd happened in connection with the flowers?”
“That’s two questions.”
“Please.”
“I didn’t see anything unusual happen with the flowers. When I first arrived, Victoria was saying something was a very strange custom, and one she didn’t think was too hygienic. Margaret dismissed her with a wave of the hand and rose to greet me. I never found out what they were talking about.”
“And you didn’t see or hear any more about this strange custom?” I let go of Lady Julia’s arm. I was certain she wouldn’t leave now.