Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 474

Sylvia was teetering on her heels atop the uneven cobblestones when she lost

her balance and all but fell right into Lester's arms.

"Sorry!" she blurted out, scrambling to straighten herself.

Before she could pull away, Lester gently brushed her hair with his hand.

"You had a leaf stuck there," he said, holding up the culprit.

She quickly smoothed her hair, feeling her cheeks flush. "Thanks."

"Do you always have to be so formal?" Lester arched an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips.

Sylvia was about to explain herself when Reese's voice rang out from behind them.

"I wondered where you'd disappeared to-turns out you had other plans."

Sylvia spun around, only to be met with Reese's cold, dark stare. There was an intensity there that sent a chill up her spine, as if his eyes were ink that never quite dried. She instinctively took a step back.

Lester stepped smoothly between them, his tone light. "Aren't you two supposed to have some alone time? Come on, everyone's already in the main hall. Let's not keep the guests waiting."

"Of course." Reese looped his arm through Rupert's. "Mr. Rupert, shall we? My brother can look after Sylvia."

Rupert merely nodded, but before he left, he shot Sylvia a look so icy and sharp she felt like she might shatter under it.

Sylvia, desperate for Lester not to notice anything, forced a calm voice. "We should go too."

Lester nodded.

walked in silence until they reached the doors to the main hall.

"Sylvia."

"Yeah?" she answered, distracted.

was right, you

eyes sparkled with a warmth that made her heart skip a

replaying Reese's words in her head. Other

a second, she was completely at a loss, nervously twisting

"-"

Lloyd!" A housemaid came

seized the chance to break eye

is acting up again. She needs you in the garden

everything

were all busy in the main hall, so

Sylvia hurried inside.

called, but got no answer. Worried, she

two steps when she heard the flick

sank. Rupert, who should have been greeting guests, stood there

window, cigarette in

course. She'd been

The window

letting the

was cracked open,

breeze swirl the smoke

face,

his glare