Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 347

As Chris liked to put it, people her age usually had plenty of energy-eight or nine out of ten, easy.

But Sylvia? She was running on half that, if she was lucky.

And she'd even been warned to ration what little she had left.

Maybe that was just the price of getting a second chance at life.

Sylvia snapped back to reality, trying to act cool and carry on.

But the man beside her gave a little wave of his hand. "Go check out the front."

Mr. Lennon, ever the eager host, jumped in, "Good eye, Mr. Rupert. All the rare gems are up there. This way, please."

Rupert nodded and walked past Sylvia, barely glancing her way.

Suddenly, Sylvia felt a rush of warmth in her palm. She froze, startled.

Once everyone else had moved ahead, she opened her hand.

A palm-sized hand warmer, soft and pink, sat in her palm.

How on earth did Rupert have something like this?

"Sylvia!" Mr. Lennon called from up ahead.

"Coming!"

the hand warmer, hurrying to catch

was dim, lit only by spotlights over the display cases. Around them, the dark made it hard to see more than people's

in and clap at

a clean, cool scent

but a hand closed gently

ears alone. Sylvia stiffened, trying to pull

budge. She hissed quietly, "Uncle Rupert, are

hand as if he hadn't heard

cold at all-in fact, she was burning up with nerves,

everyone to

she lifted her foot and ground her

she spat, "Uncle Rupert. Let

dangerous. "Got your strength back. Guess

burned, grateful for the shadows

another hand warmer into her palm. His eyes flicked

hall when Bridget's shriek pierced the

you think

Simpson, you came up to me!" chuckled a

thunderous as

show wrapped

Eloise, Sylvia met a few designers,

off to the restroom. When she came out, she saw the seamstress who'd helped her earlier hurrying