A/N: Hello my lovelies. Chapter updates might get sketchy for a bit. RL has thrown a few curves, but I shall do my best to get 1 up every week until the end. Little on the short end with this chapter as I'm manuevering them into place for the final 4 installments, but the rest of the chapters should be a little longer than this one. Thanks for all the reads. Feedback is welcome.
Per usual: I don't own The Nanny. I do like to play with Niles and CC though...
CC and Niles only had a moment to themselves on the terrace before a casually dressed, upper middle-aged gentleman appeared. His accent had all the effects of someone who had grown up with privilege, but his mannerisms were as casual as his dress. Niles knew immediately this was their eccentric potential benefactor.
'I'm told you're interested in my money,' the man said as he took a seat next to CC and across from Niles who were resting in the lounging chairs.
CC looked to Niles, her eyes wide. Niles shook his head slightly to indicate he was at as much as a loss as her in how to respond. After a moment the producer extended her hand. 'CC Babcock,' she said in a clipped manner that only came out when she was trying to impress people richer than her.
'Lord Henley,' the man said taking her hand. He brushed his lips across her knuckles then released her. 'Please, call me Eustace. When among friends it's too formal to use the title.' He turned to Niles and extended his hand across the table. 'And you would be the butler?' Niles felt more than awkward shaking the man's hand and calling a lord by his Christian name.
'Niles,' he said simply. He was rarely at a loss for words thanks to the parade of celebrities passing through the Sheffield residence, but this was no celebrity. This was someone he grew up being taught to give the utmost respect and deference to.
'You Americans are so relaxed about such things,' Lord Henley said. 'It must be nice not having to stand on ceremony at all times.'
'Oh, I'm not,' Niles started to say.
'Part French are you?' his lordship asked.
'Yes. How did,' Niles started again.
A hearty laugh rose from the older man's chest and rolled out his mouth. 'Calm yourself, dear fellow. I remember meeting your father once. Terrible scandal with the vase. I was sorry to hear of it. He always seemed more together than that. But you appear to have done well despite any potential difficulties.' Lord Henley winked at CC. 'Shall we enjoy some refreshment?'
On cue Gareth and Marie arrived with a fully stocked drinks cart. Niles followed Lord Henley's lead with a blackcurrant squash while CC pondered a moment before asking Marie what she preferred. She was given the same as the men. Once the drinks were served and they all had a moment of silence, Isabella appeared in a summery looking dress that drew attention to all the right places without being too revealing. Niles blinked a couple of times then turned to CC. She smiled at him. He returned her smile with a lopsided grin of his own. It pleased CC to know that as attractive as he found the younger woman, she had the ability to put that grin on his face.
'Daddy, I do hope you haven't been terrorizing our guests,' Isabella said as she took the glass Gareth handed her then sat across from CC so that the four of them created a square in their seating arrangement.
'Hardly, my dearest. We've just been getting acquainted. How was Bayleaf today?'
Isabella sipped her drink. 'Quite sprightly for an old mare,' she said. She finished her drink. 'G&T, Gary, darling. Please and thanks.' Gareth took the empty glass and supplied the preferred beverage looking all the world like he was prepared for the request. 'Exercise does anyone good, I suppose, even old mares.'
'Quite right, quite right,' Lord Henley said. He waited for the valet and lady's maid to depart as they would be off to speak with the cook to finalize the lunch preparations. He turned his gaze upon CC. 'Babcock is a funny name. Not that I'm one to talk. Cruikshank isn't much better. What do the Cs stand for?'
CC, realizing she was being spoken about and to, had a moment of being caught in the headlights. Niles rescued her by saying 'It's rather a game. Not one person has guessed correctly. Not even me. I was sure I had it when I suggested Charity Clothespin.' He gave her a wink. CC rolled her eyes. It frightened her a little how close he was in his gues in some respects.
'Guess again, butler boy,' she said.
They were focused on each other for a moment. 'All's fair in guessing monikers,' he said. 'What's my other name?' He knew this was an unfair request, but he wanted to see if she would out him or play along.
CC opened her mouth, the name on the tip of her tongue, but she held back. 'Um, mop bucket?' she suggested. The banter had put her on a more even keel. Niles always did know how to get her to relax.
He made a noise like a game show buzzer. 'Wrong. You can guess again tomorrow as per the rules of the game. Thank you for playing,' Niles said. He then distracted himself with his drink realizing she had played along.
Lord Henley was smiling at them as was Isabella. 'I see what Gary and Marie were on about now. You do make a convincing couple.'
'Astounding, really,' Isabella said. 'While we have a moment, tell us about this production you're interested in mounting. We would like to get one over on Andrew. He's been rather insufferable about insisting we invest in his shows, but Cat people are just too strange, even for us. And that phantom show is just a bit too close to home right now, so perhaps you have something a bit more normal.'
'We do know from strange,' Lord Henley said. 'Just look at our delightful charade that's pulled you in. Gary and Marie really are the most wonderful sort to go along with our whims.'
This was CC's cue to talk shop. Niles admired the ease in which she explained the various projects they were working on at Sheffield-Babcock Productions. She had a practiced ease when talking about the course of the business and what they hoped to do in the future as well as the exciting new avenues they were considering. At some point Gareth indicated to Lord Henley that lunch would be served imminently and they ought to move toward the other end of the terrace where the table was set. The whole production moved seamlessly, CC and Niles seated next to each other, Isabella next to CC and Lord Henley between his daughter and Niles. It was like a well-practiced dance maneuver. CC wrapped her pitch just as the food hit the table. Niles gave her an admiring look that suggested all those pitch meetings and backers' parties had paid off.
Niles, too, had his moment. Finally over most of his apprehension and discomfort, he was able to answer questions about his employer and the various cliental that passed through the house. His view from the other side was a fresh perspective for the rest of the people at the table. Being a yenta certainly paid off as he also let out some dirt he had picked up about several of the upper class attendees of the benefit and brunch the previous weekend. CC looked at him with some wonder as she had been unaware just how much information he was capable of processing at one time.
The moment of truth, however, arrived as they finished the meal. Isabella looked at CC and asked her, 'Why did you think bringing a fake husband was a good idea?' It was a fair question and one that could have been asked of the people in front of her, but she already knew that answer, at least enough of it to not spit it back at them.
CC calmly folded the napkin on her lap then set it on the table to indicate she was done eating. Niles was surprised to see the lack of nerves appear in her hands because he could see the tension in her neck and near her eyes. Slowly, she said, 'I thought Maxwell was coming with me. Obviously, I was very wrong on that count. Niles was the next sensible option with his knowledge of the situation. The choice became come alone or request Niles' service.' She spoke in an even tone with an underlying restraint that only Niles seemed to pick up, knowing her as well as he did. 'Had I known how snobbish – no offense – those people can be, I would have stayed in New York. There's plenty of that sort there. But one of my faults is thinking I'm often in the right, so I really did need to discover the truth for myself.' The final statement caught both her and Niles off guard.
Isabella reached over and patted CC on the leg. 'We're glad you did discover the truth, aren't we Daddy?' Lord Henley nodded his assent. It was a bit of an odd moment, CC being the elder of the two by a good ten years, but being treated almost like a child. Isabella turned to her father. 'May I borrow Niles a moment? I know you had something you wished to discuss with CC. We really shouldn't keep them longer than we ought.'
'Of course, my dear,' Lord Henley said. 'Perhaps you would accompany on my post meal constitutional, CC?'
'I would be delighted, Eustace,' CC said with a genuine smile. She was doing her best to maintain a calm demeanor and hoped her reply did not come off too strongly. She was also glad that Niles had suggested sensible shoes. There was no visible walking path other than the gravel drive. She suspected they would be over the hill where Lord Henley's gaze had fallen.
Niles turned to CC. 'I'm sure we won't be far.' He rose to his feet. He rested a hand on her shoulder while he leaned down to whisper in her ear. 'You're doing perfectly.' His hand lingered for a moment when she put her hand over his. Then he was off, following Isabella into the house. Niles was unsure why she would wish to borrow him. He wouldn't know what to do all day in a place like Dunburn Manor. Not that Lord Henley was in need of staff. He had plenty. Niles was mostly certain he was not about to have a job proposal he would not be allowed to refuse, but he was not quite prepared for the real reason he was summoned inside.
End Part 6