Ivory and Steel

Miss Phyllida Dearne loves tragedy but she prefers it to remain on the stage. After their opera party is drugged, Phyllida awakens to find her sister Louisa, Marchioness of Allbury, has been murdered—with a steel blade hidden beneath the ivory sticks of Phyllida's fan. First on the scene is the marquis's old friend, Captain Lord Ingram. Phyllida's immediate attraction to him is shattered as he makes it clear he disapproves of her as much as he did her sister. But dreams of romance die hard.

Benjamin Frake of Bow Street sets to work at once uncovering clues and investigating suspects. Phyllida and Ingram join forces to assist the Runner and Ingram's antipathy toward Phyllida blossoms into friendship—and something much more. Phyllida fights against what she is certain are her unfounded hopes of love as she fears he has an ulterior motive. Frake has made it clear Ingram is a very likely suspect and Phyllida finds her logical mind, which can believe in Ingram's guilt, in aching conflict with her heart, which cannot.