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

was dim, lit only by spotlights over the display cases. Around them, the

ready to chime in

shifted around her, and suddenly a clean, cool scent swept in.

a hand closed gently over

a low voice murmured, meant for her ears alone. Sylvia stiffened, trying to pull

She hissed quietly, "Uncle Rupert, are you crazy? There

time, rubbing her hand as

with nerves, prickling with fear that someone

started leading everyone to

thinking, she lifted her foot

she spat, "Uncle

teasing and dangerous. "Got your strength back. Guess

grateful for the shadows that hid her

hand warmer into her palm. His

barely left the exhibit hall when Bridget's

do you think

came up to me!" chuckled a big man with

was thunderous as she retreated to Rupert's

show wrapped

to Eloise, Sylvia met a few designers, chatting and

the seamstress who'd