Agathe stroked her niece’s back tenderly. “Who knows where the road will lead us. If I’ve learned anything in my old age, it is that everything is possible.”
“Right now, I hope that God’s will doesn’t lead me too far from here. I don’t want to be forced to move again.” She let her eyes scan the marketplace. “I like Emmerich, though I had never heard of it until a few days ago. The people seem different here. They seem so . . .” She looked for the right words. “Carefree,” she finally said.
“It’s nice to hear you say that. I thought the same thing. I believe it’s because we’re so close to the Netherlands.”
“Why is that? Are the Netherlanders like this?”
“I haven’t met so many of them yet,” Agathe said. “I think two in my whole life.” She held up two fingers. “But they both were . . .” She paused with a telling smile. “Yes, they were both carefree.”
“Agathe, I would love to hear the stories you have to tell about them.”
“Yes!” Her aunt laughed gleefully. “I can imagine you would. But my lips are sealed.”
Madlen laughed with her and stood. “Now, let’s get going again. Thank you for letting me rest.”
“Anytime. We’re in no hurry.”
They went from stand to stand. Agathe stopped at a weaver’s stand. “Good man,” she said to the merchant.
“What can I do for you fine ladies today?” He flashed a toothless, yet charming smile.
Agathe held up her hand. “Thank you, but we don’t need anything right now. That doesn’t mean, however, that we won’t be needing something in the future.”
“I knew immediately that you had a sense for the finest woolens and woven goods.”
“Right now, we’re looking for a dress merchant. Is there one here at the market?”
“You look like a clever women who knows how to help herself. Why would you want to buy a finished dress when you are so well served with fine fabric and yarns?”
Agathe cocked her head to the side. “You mean no one sells dresses here?”
“No one at this market, as far as I know.”
“All the better. Tell me, what does a person have to do to be able to sell goods from his own stall?”
“What do you have to sell?”
“Dresses,” she answered succinctly.
“Ah, now I understand. Simply have your husbands pay the fee to the head of the marketplace.”
“Where does one find this head of the marketplace?”
The weaver looked around. “He’s in and out throughout the day, checking to make sure everything’s just so.” He craned his neck. “I can’t see him anywhere right now. Look for a man in an oversized coat.”
“A coat? In this warm weather?”
The weaver just shrugged. “He probably thinks that it makes him look more important. Along with his hat.” He used both hands to pantomime a wide brim.
“We’ll keep an eye out. Thanks, and we hope you have a successful business day.”
“If you need woolens, don’t go to those other cutthroats, just come to me. You won’t regret it.”
“We’ll keep that in mind.” She waved good-bye. “See you soon.”
They strolled back and forth through the market at least five times before Madlen nudged her aunt and pointed to a man.
“You’re right. He fits the description exactly. Come on.”
The women walked directly to him. At first, he didn’t even seem to notice them, as he busied himself by inspecting the stalls.
“Excuse me.” Agathe stopped directly in front of him, forcing him to stop in his tracks.
“Yes?”
“Are you the head of the marketplace?”
“Yes, I am, my good lady. How can I help you?”
“Well, my daughter and I are new to this city. We’ve come a long way to conduct business here. Emmerich is known far and wide for its magnificent opportunities for trade, as you well know,” Agathe said smoothly.
He nodded graciously. “I do, my good woman.”
“We would like to operate a booth at your market. What would that cost us?”
“Two guilders a day.”
“What?” Agathe was astounded. “So much?”
“But of course. That’s the standard price.”
“And for a little booth?”
“That is for a small booth. If you wanted something bigger, it would cost you all of four guilders daily.”
“God Almighty. We would need to sell a great deal of goods to just break even.”
Her comment didn’t seem to faze him. “When you’ve had some time to think about it, come back to me. Now, I must attend to my work.”