"This is ridiculous!"
Penelope rose to her feet as well. "The society seeks ways to sully one's reputation from fragile whisper to hot gossip," She reassured, attempting to soften the mood in the room. "There's no appearance without rumors,"
"Rumors that affect your prestige to date aren't just an ordinary rumor, Pen," Francesca reasoned. "You would have written to me, informed me about it,"
"I know," she agreed. "However, I didn't find it practical to burden you with unnecessary topics, Francesca. Precisely with rumors, as they have very little effect on me."
Francesca huffed. "Clearly," She retorted, sarcasm rich in her tone. "And here I was thinking you barely had any interest in courtship,"
Penelope stilled. She still did, but obviously, she couldn't say that out loud. If there was ever a way she could avoid courtship—
