Chapter 4

The family made their way back to the hotel and began to unpack. The kids were anxious to explore the island. Maggie wanted to go to the beach and see if there were any boys her age there. Grace wanted to visit the whaling museum, so Fran agreed to take her. Brighton reluctantly followed, having nothing better to do. This left Max alone with Niles, which was just what he preferred anyway. He was in a terrible mood because he knew he was jealous of Fran's date with Brian, but he was too stubborn to admit it.

After several minutes of silence, Niles finally spoke up. "Sir, why can't you just admit it?"

Max looked at his butler in total shock. "Admit what, Niles?"

"That you're jealous of Miss Fine," Niles said calmly. One of the advantages of working for an old friend was that Niles could almost read his boss' mind. Niles was the one person Maxwell could never lie to.

"That's absurd!" Maxwell protested. "Why should I care if Miss Fine has a date? It's her business if she's impressed by some cocky kid who just happens to have his own plane."

"Sir, Mr. Hackett seemed like a very nice young man to me."

"Oh, please, Niles! That was all an act! He's almost as phony as Miss Babcock!" Maxwell exclaimed. What bothered him even more than Miss Fine's date was the fact that Niles seemed to be right--AGAIN! But to admit that, Max would also have to admit that he had feelings for Fran, not just as his childrens' nanny. He didn't think he was quite ready to do so yet.

"I don't know about that. Miss Babcock has set quite a standard in that department," Niles quipped. "I am NOT jealous," Maxwell declared suddenly. "I'm simply concerned for Miss Fine's welfare. After all, what do we really know about this man?"

"Sir, I'm sure there's nothing to worry about. It's only one evening."

"Oh, perhaps you're right," Max admitted. "We're only going to be here a week. No one could fall in love that quickly."

"Quite right, Sir. That usually takes about four years, doesn't it?" Niles asked, giving his boss a knowing look.

Max looked at his butler and sighed. He knew Niles was on to him. "All right, so maybe I'm a...little bothered by the fact that she's going out with another man. But it doesn't mean anything, does it?" Maxwell had finally said it. He couldn't deny he felt somewhat relieved to have let the secret out.

"Do you think it does?" Niles asked.

"I don't know...." Maxwell sighed. "Oh, Niles, why do things always have to be so complicated between me and Miss Fine? What am I supposed to do now, forbid her to see him?"

"Well, sir, you said yourself that no one could fall in love in one week. They're just going to dinner, what harm can that do?" Niles said.

Reluctantly, Maxwell allowed Fran to go out on her date. When she and the children returned from the musuem, she was almost giddy with excitement. It made Maxwell ill just watching her. She'd been on countless dates in the last four years, and yet she was acting like a bloody teenager about to go on her first date!

"Well, Mr. Sheffield, I'm leaving to go meet Brian," Fran said finally. "Do I look OK?"

Max surveyed her. She looked stunning in a black dress, which was so tight it left little to the imagination. "Yes, you look lovely," Max managed to say. "But don't you think it's a bit cold for something so revealing?"

Fran laughed. "Cold? Mr. Sheffield, it's gotta be 80 degrees outside!"

Max gulped. "Oh, in that case you look.....lovely. Have a wonderful time."

"Thanks. I won't be home late. If you need me, I'll be at the Club Car. Don't wait up!"

"How are you getting there? Is he bringing his plane over to pick you up?" Max asked sarcastically.

"Oh, no, I called a cab," Fran replied. "It should be here any minute." Just then, a car horn honked outside. "That must be it now!" Fran took off out the door, leaving Maxwell alone.

Once again, the Brit sighed. He mentally kicked himself for letting her go. This vacation was supposed to be about spending quality time with his family, not about Miss Fine going out on a date. She could've done that in New York!

Niles entered the room. "Did Miss Fine leave?" he asked.

Max nodded. "Oh, Niles, you should've seen her, acting like a giddy schoolgirl!"

"Sir, I still don't understand why you can't just admit that you're jealous."

"Why does everyone keep accusing me of being jealous?!" Maxwell asked. "Miss Fine and I are friends. I'm merely concerned for her well-being. Just as a friend," he repeated.

"Uh-huh," Niles said sarcastically. "And Miss Babcock is a natural blonde."

Max gave him a glare. "Do you think I've made a mistake letting her go out?"

"Miss Fine is a grown woman, and quite capable of handling herself on a date."

"You're right, old man. So why does this bother me so much?" Max asked.

"I just told you why, but you wouldn't listen!" the bulter replied.

"Oh, come on, Niles. I haven't a jealous bone in my body," Maxwell insisted.

"Does the name 'Phillipe' mean anything to you? Or perhaps 'Kurt'?" Niles asked.

"Those were two isolated incidents," Max said. "Besides, Philipe turned out to be a jerk. I was right to be concerned."

"Yes, but what about Kurt? And all the other men Miss Fine has dated?" Niles asked. "You have some feelings for Miss Fine. It's only natural for you to be jealous."

"I just can't do this. I can't sit here while she's out with that--that pilot!" Maxwell exclaimed.

"Sir, get hold of yourself. It's just a few hours," Niles said. "I'll get you a drink so you can relax."

"No, old man. I've got to do something!"

"Sir, with all due respect, you're being ridiculous. She's only going out to dinner, it's not as if they've eloped," Niles replied.

Ignoring his butler's words, Maxwell continued. "I know! I could go over to that restaraunt and tell her she has to come home. Something with the children. I'll tell her Grace isn't feeling well."

Niles looked at his boss as if he were insane. "But sir, Miss Grace is fine. She's sound asleep in her room."

"I know that, man," Max said in exasperation. "I just want to do something to end their date."

"Sir, you can't do that. You can't just barge in on two peoples' dinner."

Max barely heard Niles' warning. He went to get his coat. "I don't care. If I have to just sit here while she's out on that date, I'll go insane. I've got to do something." With that, Max put on his coat and was out the door.