Chapter 3
WHEN JOHANNA and Nellie got home, the hallway was filled with the smell of cooking. As they took their coats off in the hall, Koby was just coming up from the kitchen carrying a tray of bowls and terrines.
Johanna followed her into the dining room.
Father already sat at the table. He nodded briefly to her as she sat down.
While Koby ladled soup in their plates, they started their usual talk about business and accounts. Father asked if Pietersen had paid yet, which Johanna informed him he had not, and then he said he’d chase it up. He mentioned that he had heard that Octavio Nieland was interested in buying bigger boats and going into ocean trade. There had been talk of forming a group, because the palace guards were obviously not going to protect the ships, but there would ne
