"I told them as much, coz." Angel took Patience's arm and smiled reassuringly. "It is just not in you to be so scandalous and I haven't any idea who would say such outrageous things. No, I think it was more a matter of who you were with," she said and lowered her voice. "I fear the Laurents were somewhat... looked down on in Versailles and it made them the target of some wretched gossip. Nothing true of course," she lied smoothly and even managed to look sad about it. She had been a tad livid with the outrageous gossip- it was such a stupidly contrived rumor for one and in any case, subtlety was much more amusing.
"I am glad you forgive me. Now you shan't have reason not to help me plan the ball papa has decided to allow me to give next month!"