CORMORANT

LITHUANIAVilnius is its capital PRINCIPLERule guiding one's conduct in clipper at sea ICEMAIDENBeautiful but aloof woman EVOLUTIONDevelopment of delegation of powers starting late (9) ATTEMPTEDTried charm, embraced by new date ILLATEASEUncomfortable ONTHEMENDRallying the troops during working day PENTHOUSETop floor flat CARNATIONBloomer in an auto race ESSAYTESTBlue-book event INTRODUCEAnnounce fantastic reduction WHOISTHISQuestion to an unknown caller SLINGBACKShoe with a strap behind the heel, or what can be found in each set of circled letters ITSACINCH"Piece of cake!"