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Sterling watched with interest as Claybourne now approached the sht a brother, with broad smiles and claps on the shoulder, handshakes and a bit of ribbing perhaps No hug from the lady, simply a warm smile that spoke volumes She admired him, she was overjoyed for him, she wished hiether then, the five of them All products of the street, no doubt Thieves, pickpockets, ether That realization should have quelled Sterling’s interest in the lady Instead it only served to further captivate hiht, fa toward his sister only when she was near and it was obvious he was her destination Her blond hair ept up, her cheeks carried a slight flush fro ceremony, and her blue eyes sparkled like the finest of jewels

"Fascinated by the h he was fairly certain the other guests were taking note of the group as well

He shouldn’t be surprised that so many of the aristocracy hadbetween the "Devil Earl" and Catherine was the talk of London The curious a the elite had filled the small chapel where the ceremony took place, and now they had been welcodon--who it was once believed would inherit the Claybourne title--was in attendance It seemed that he had accepted his fate as the successor ould never be Without a doubt, everyone was intrigued and scandal was certainly a whispered ru said laconically "They’re not the sort who usually attend our functions The woman She stood with you at the altar"

"Frannie Yes, we’ve become very close Had you bothered to attend the celebratory dinner we hosted last night or arrived at the church early enough thisher chastisement--he’d have not been comfortable at the dinner and she’d have not been co him there, when all was said and done--he turned over the naiven him Frannie He’d expected--or perhaps he’d only hoped for--so a bit more exotic, and yet it seemed to suit "She dresses rather plainly"

The drab blue dress she wore seemed almost as out of place as she did He envisioned her in violet or scarlet, the silk sliding over her skin to pool at her bare feet

"I’ve learned of late not to judge by appearances," Catherine said

He heard the censure in her voice because she are that he did judge by appearances and a person’s station in life He recognized the elite--and then the others hom he didn’t associate unless absolutely necessary He’d never had a reason or a desire to associate with former criminals

"Do they provide for her?" he asked

"Pardon?"

"The gentle her Are they related? How does she make her way?"

"Those are hardly appropriate inquiries"