Page 6 of The Amsterdam Enigma (The Continental Capers of Melody Chesterton #3)
A s they walked the route to the house Alessandro was sharing with Fatima, Melody kept reminding herself that she was not supposed to know where they were going.
Even when, on one occasion, she was certain they’d taken a wrong turn, Melody held back from suggesting they should have gone down another street.
Instead, she bit her tongue and endured the unnecessary addition of an extra ten minutes to their journey as Rat finally realised his mistake and they doubled back.
Eventually, they arrived at the elegant, if low-key, street Melody recalled from earlier that day. At this point, Melody commented on the obvious: “Why is Alessandro not staying in a hotel?”
“He owns a house in Amsterdam,” Rat answered, confirming Melody’s earlier suspicion.
Melody then forced herself to pose the question she already knew the answer to. “Where is Fatima staying, given that she is not in our hotel?”
As they walked side by side, Melody had only a partial view of her brother’s face. What she saw convinced her he felt no happier about Fatima’s living situation than she was.
He paused for a moment before responding, and then Rat said in a stiff tone, “Lalla Fatima is residing with Alessandro for the moment.”
There was so much that Melody could have said in response to that statement, and she believed Rat wanted to say much more in addition. However, they both suppressed their emotions regarding the matter, and nothing further was said on the subject.
Upon arriving at Herengracht 76, Rat knocked on the door.
Beside him, Melody was anxious yet curious.
Would Fatima be openly presenting herself as the lady of the house, or would there be an attempt to uphold the charade that she was merely a guest?
For a moment, Melody considered the possibility that Fatima was, in fact, only a guest. Then, the door was opened by the woman herself, looking more beautiful and radiant than ever.
Melody didn’t think it was only her dislike of Fatima that made her imagine the other woman smirking with self-satisfaction as she welcomed them into the house.
“Melody, what a surprise. Sandro didn’t mention that you would be accompanying Matthew.
” Once again, this was said with such an obvious smirk that Melody was certain Fatima realised how upset she was at being excluded from the details of the mission and at discovering the truth about Alessandro’s living situation.
Determined not to play into the woman’s hands, Melody summoned all the dignity she could muster and answered, “Given my pivotal role in discovering Brett Rothnie and therefore ensuring Alessandro’s release from prison, Matthew agreed that my assistance was necessary again.
” Of course, Rat had agreed to nothing of the sort, and Melody made sure not to glance over at her brother for fear her lie would be evident from his face.
After her distortion of the earlier conversation with Rat, Melody was shocked to hear him agree with her. “When I read Alessandro’s note, I realised that we were negligent in excluding Melody and took pains to rectify the situation immediately.”
As they spoke, Fatima led the siblings into a bright, well-appointed drawing room at the front of the house, where Alessandro was seated, reading a book. Upon their entrance, he stood, displeasure writ large on his face.
Upon hearing Rat’s words, Alessandro raised his eyebrows. “I can see that, Matthew. I wish we’d discussed involving Miss Chesterton before you acted.”
And with that, Melody snapped. “Do you, Conte Foscari? Do you wish you’d discussed it first? Perhaps you and Matthew should have discussed my involvement in Morocco before I risked my life to save you both.”
“Melody, dear. While no one is withholding credit from you for your well-meaning actions, let us not pretend that it wasn’t I who was the key player in securing darling Sandro’s release.” Melody was so outraged by what Fatima had said it took her a moment to react.
Fatima took advantage of that pause to continue.
“It was my men who saw to our safe passage across the Atlas Mountains. I was the one who obtained an audience with the Sultan which enabled a private audience with Sandro, where I was the one who learned key information from him. To say nothing of the invaluable help I gave around local culture and language to you and your brother. I cannot imagine how either one of you would have fared without my assistance.”
Finally, Melody composed herself sufficiently to respond. Simultaneously, Rat placed his hand on her arm, whether as a gesture of support or a caution against losing her temper, Melody did not know or care.
Shaking off her brother’s hand, Melody uttered in yet another excellent impersonation of the dowager, “Miss Amrani, it is indeed true that when one needs assistance with staffing, catering, or indeed advice on where to shop, your help is second to none. However, I do not recall you being present when Captain Somerset and I tracked down Alister Blackadder and risked our lives to free Matthew and Mr Rothnie. And without Mr Rothnie’s assistance, Conte Foscari’s release would never have been secured. ”
Alessandro and Rat exchanged glances; someone needed to intervene before the situation escalated further. Rat signalled silently that this responsibility rested with Alessandro.
Whether his message had been received or Alessandro had reached a similar conclusion, the result was the same: Alessandro addressed Fatima in a firm voice, “Please go and see about some refreshments for our guests.”
The furious look Fatima gave him spoke volumes, but she didn’t argue. Instead, she turned and stomped out of the room.
Alessandro indicated that Rat and Melody should take a seat before saying in a placatory tone, “You are correct, of course, Miss Chesterton. Your help was invaluable. However, this is a very different situation, and I am not sure why you believe it is either necessary or appropriate for you to be involved.”
Rat realised this was the point when he either defended his sister or caused a rift in their relationship that might never be healed. He knew what he had to do.
In a polite yet firm tone, he supported Melody.
“My sister is intelligent, resourceful and her bravery has been demonstrated beyond doubt. Not only does she deserve to be included, but our mission will also be more effective for her involvement. If necessary, I am prepared to telegram Whitehall and make this request formally.”
At his words, Melody had to exert all the self-control she could not to cry with gratitude.
As irritating as Fatima’s attempts to minimise her role in Morocco, and devastating as Alessandro’s dismissiveness had been, what had upset Melody the most since their arrival in Amsterdam was what she perceived as Rat’s disloyalty.
To hear her brother give such a resounding defence of her and endorsement of her abilities was almost all Melody needed.
Even if Alessandro somehow overruled Rat and prevented her involvement, she would never forget what Rat had said.
As true as this was, still, Melody was relieved when Alessandro sighed, raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, and replied, “That will not be necessary. By all means, let us include Miss Chesterton. Shall we get down to business?”