The Travellers Chronicles Book Four: To Chase Their Freedom

Chapter Eight

May 1730

Tess was in awe as they walked down the streets of Amsterdam.

"Well, what do you think?" Sybille asked her friend.

"It is amazing! The canal, the buildings, the cobblestone streets. All of it a beautiful masterpiece." She moved to whisper to Sybille. "I wish I could take pictures."

Syb chuckled. "Are you happy?"

"I am very happy. Thank you for this."

"Of course, anytime."

The ladies set to finding a shop to open. They were again to be seamstresses and tailors. This time though, Tess was to be a man. They took the names Katheline van de Hoek (Sybille), Livina van de Hoek (Lisette), and Oric van de Hoek. Their business flourished and Tess and Sybille became members of the community. Though Tess had initially struggled with the language, most of it started to come back to her from memories of her Oma. She had finally become well spoken, dare they say fluent, before they had left. Tess revelled in her time in Amsterdam.

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1744

Dear Mémère,

You were correct, Prince Charles Edward, son of King James the Second, has arrived at French Court, and he is seeking aide to fight the Hanovers. I, of course, have refused any involvement. As we agreed, I will stay allies with Britain until the American Revolution; when that comes to pass. He now makes his way to Scotland to beg Queen Mary for an audience to request the same things of her. I pray she keeps to the code and sends him away.

Yours,

King Gerard the Third of France

Satisfied with the letter, Sybille went on with her day.

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1745

Aunt Margaret,

The former English Prince made his way to my court. He is a laughingstock here. The former prince had an outburst in front of my entire court, claiming that I was too scared to go to war with the British. Instead of becoming angry, I simple laughed at his impertinence. He left my court in a huff and has boarded a ship to Italy. I believe he has lost all hope for a campaign. I pray that is the truth.

Yours,

Queen Mary the Second of Scotland

In the end, Prince Charles Edward did give up on his plans to retake the British throne. He spent the remainder of his days in Italy, destitute.

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1760

Early one morning a man came to the shop and dropped a pile of clothing on the table. "I am in desperate need of your services."

Tess smiled at him in a gentlemanly way. "Of course, Mr.?"

"Leeuwenhoek."

Tess stopped in her tracks. She had been reaching for a paper to fill out his information when he said his name. Tess quickly came to her senses. "What a nice name, Mr. Leeuwenhoek. Now, we have a lot of work this time of year, so, unfortunately it will take at least two weeks for us to complete."

The man sighed. "Are you sure? See, my wife has fallen ill and cannot mend. I need these by next week when I come back in from Bronkhorst."

Her eyes went wide. So, it is true! Wanting desperately to help the man, she decided she would work nights to finish his order, especially since she did not need to rest. "Very well, I will have them ready for you by then."