13. Maggie the Model

"Oh, Maxwell!" CC's hand went to her heart and her eyes widened, in such a forced attempt at sympathy that Niles could barely keep a straight face as he entered his employer's office. "Oh, I'm so sorry. Of all the fake, phony, self-absorbed … "

"It's all right, Miss Babcock," Niles interrupted. "I'm sure he'll forgive you."

"I was talking about Chloe," she snarled, shooting a venomous glare at him from her position on the green sofa. "Can you believe she actually stood him up?"

"Yes, all right!" said Maxwell, who was sitting at his desk with his head in his hands, looking severely in need of the hot tea Niles was bringing. "Now that everyone in the house knows, can we please stop talking about it?"

"Oh dear." Niles felt sorry for his friend, but quite frankly, he understood why CC's joy was so transparent. Hating Chloe was one of the few things he and his longtime nemesis had in common, and the sooner she stopped playing fast and loose with Maxwell, the better.

"Still, sir, don't you think it's for the best? After all, Ms. Simpson hardly has the best track record where relationships are concerned."

"That's right," CC chimed in. "I mean, that woman's gone through more men than Liz Taylor, even if you count Richard Burton three times."

Niles, who could not help admiring the insult, smirked and held out his hand to CC for a high-five. She eyed it narrowly, shrugged, and slapped his palm so briefly he almost didn't feel it.

Maxwell drew himself up, summoning dignity like a cloak, and looked down at both his employees with cold disapproval.

"I will not hear a word said against Chloe," he said. "We've had our differences, but that does not mean that you have the right to insult her in my presence. For God's sake, at least have the decency to wait until I'm out of earshot!"

CC sighed.

"He's like a Jane Austen hero sometimes, isn't he?" she murmured, in a tone so low that only Niles could hear. "So cute … "

"Well," said Niles, waving a hand in front of her face to focus her dreamy eyes on him, "We all know who Mrs. Norris would be, don't we?"

"Oh yes," was CC's glib response. "I would pay to see you in a bonnet."

Since it didn't seem appropriate to high-five her for an insult to himself, Niles settled for a snort.

At the very least, he thought, noticing Maxwell's wry look of amusement, their antics had taken his master's mind off his broken heart. If that was what it took, he would spar with CC all day.