Episode 9 – Personal Business
"I've got some news you'll be interested in," said Niles in a sing-song voice as he leaned over the sofa where CC sat. She was absorbed in watching One Day After Another, but at the sound of his voice, she immediately looked up and muted the sound.
"Go on, Butler Boy," she said, with an affected air of boredom.
"What's it worth to you?" he purred.
"Oh, nothing." She shrugged. "But since you're obviously dying to tell me, you might as well spit it out."
"Well … " He circled around to sit next to her, pointedly casual. "I just happened to notice that Miss Fine came back from her date at a rather late hour last night." 'Happened to notice' meaning 'waited in the kitchen until she arrived', and 'late' meaning about two a. m., which now made his eyelids feel heavy as lead – not that he was complaining.
"Oh, good!" CC chirped, smiling like a shoulder-padded angel. "She and Brock must have had a wonderful time together. I told Maxwell it was the right thing to do, didn't I?"
"Yes, and that should have warned him," Niles couldn't resist shooting back. "As a matter of fact, Brock Storm made some unwelcome advances, Miss Fine rebuffed him in a manner which she implied would leave him 'singing high notes'" – CC's jaw dropped – "And what's more, Mr. Sheffield waited in this very parlor until she came home. Ever since you persuaded him to use Miss Fine as a bribe to lure Storm into your next show, the poor man's conscience has been tormenting him without rest. I hope you're satisfied."
Judging by the queasy exprssion on CC's face, she definitely was not.
"Nanny Fine did what?"
"So she claims."
"She can't be serious."
"I wouldn't put it past her. Stiletto heels on a righteously angry New Yorker can be formidable weapons."
"Oh, my God …"
"I know."
"The show's ruined!" said CC, throwing up her hands.
Niles looked at her sharply; she ignored him and continued: "He'll never accept Maxwell's deal after this. Andrew Lloyd Webber will get him for sure. And what if he sues us? God, if the press finds out, they'll be on this like sharks after blood. 'Nanny Castrates Soap Star', what a nightmare … "
Niles shook his head in scornful incredulity. Just when he thought he was getting used to CC, she'd sink to an even lower level of callousness.
"The press, Miss Babcock? When a woman you know has to defend herself from sexual harassment, is that really all you think about?"
CC lowered her eyes, but did not say a word in her defense. Her hands, clasped together in her designer-clad lap, were white with pressure. It was impossible to tell whether she felt regret for her thoughtless words, anger towards him, or both.
Niles stood up and headed for the kitchen doors, hoping that a few moments alone would allow her some time to think. When she called after him, he froze in his tracks.
"At least I don't make Hitler jokes in front of a Jew!"
She was referring to his recent comment on her Adolfo blouse, which had barely registered with Miss Fine, let alone offending her.
Niles sighed. There was so much wrong with this woman, he barely knew where to begin … so why, now that he was no longer next to her, did he feel suddenly cold?
