Out of the woodwork. Max nearly scoffed at it: that was one way to put it, wasn't it? Like some insect, crawled out of the gutters, rotting the furniture from the inside. Nicky had some nerve, being here. Insinuating herself back into the vestiges of a life she had long since relinquished all rights to.
He could only hope that Mrs. Devine's new husband and status in society meant more to her than blood. Nicky's return had the potential to equally embarrass them both.
"One could say that," he agreed knowingly, the corner of his mouth twisting momentarily towards a frown. "And how has your new husband taken the news of that returning family?" Really, the last thing he wanted to hear was that Mr. Devine had heard the whole story, that the two of them had taken her in in good faith - that both of their heads were no doubt being fed by Nicky's lies. (He was certain that she would have to look back and lie, to the world and to herself: how else would Nicolina be able to make any excuses for her disgraceful decisions?)
He could only hope that Mrs. Devine's new husband and status in society meant more to her than blood. Nicky's return had the potential to equally embarrass them both.
"One could say that," he agreed knowingly, the corner of his mouth twisting momentarily towards a frown. "And how has your new husband taken the news of that returning family?" Really, the last thing he wanted to hear was that Mr. Devine had heard the whole story, that the two of them had taken her in in good faith - that both of their heads were no doubt being fed by Nicky's lies. (He was certain that she would have to look back and lie, to the world and to herself: how else would Nicolina be able to make any excuses for her disgraceful decisions?)
