Marie knew Maggie quite well and is broken up about it, as is Currynt. Lovers isn't remotely plausible given Marie's age. Sisters or close cousins is more likely. This is about twelve years ago and Marie is about yours and Victoriana's age. Currynt is 10 or 15 years older and you figure if Maggie was a maid back then, she would be closer to his age should she still be living.