Reborn: The Duke’s Obsession

The journey to the Eastern Isles had been long, but the warm, fragrant air that greeted Eric and Aiden as they stepped down from their carriage was a pleasant change from the cool, approaching autumn of Albion. They stood in the grand courtyard of a magnificent seaside villa, the home of their host.

"Duke Eric of Elinburgh, from Albion," a man in his late fifties announced, his voice a warm, welcoming boom. "Thank you for your presence. It is an honor to finally meet you." He brought out his hand for a firm shake.

Eric took his hand, his own grip equally strong. "Duke Nelson of Willingham," Eric replied, his tone one of polite, professional respect. "It is a pleasure to be here. Thank you for your invitation."

As they shook hands, Eric noticed a young lady standing just beside Duke Nelson. She was dressed in a light, airy gown of pale pink, and she gave him a cute, perfectly executed curtsy, her eyes wide with a mixture of shyness and admiration. "Your Grace," she said, her voice soft and sweet.

Eric, ever the gentleman, gave a slight bow to return her greeting.

Duke Nelson beamed with fatherly pride. "Ah, yes, this is my youngest daughter, Eudora," he introduced her. "She was so very happy to hear of your visit today."

Eric flashed Eudora a polite, charming smile, the kind he reserved for business associates and their families. It was warm, but it held a professional distance.

"She absolutely loves your dyes," Nelson continued, his voice full of enthusiasm. "That is why I procured so many of them for her and for her older sisters. Now that we have established our own textile house, I plan to give them the dyed fabrics as gifts."

"Oh, I see," Eric replied. "I am glad to hear that my products are so well-loved."

"Indeed they are," Nelson nodded. "I received the main shipment for the dyes just yesterday, which brings me to my purpose. I wanted to discuss a new business deal with you, in person. Can we go to my study?"

"Certainly," Eric replied.

They went inside the grand villa, with Aiden following a few steps behind. The interior was grand, with cool marble floors and large, open archways that let in the gentle sea breeze. Inside Duke Nelson's study, a room lined with ledgers and old books, Nelson got straight to the point.

"As you know, Duke Eric, I want to start a new textile establishment here in the isles," he said. "And I want to make your company the sole, exclusive producer of all the dyes that will be used for our fabrics." He gestured around the room.

"The Eastern Isles are beautiful," He continued. "But we do not have the natural resources to make the kind of quality dyes that will improve the standard of our fabrics and allow us to compete on a global scale."

He pushed a neatly drafted contract across the polished surface of his desk, towards Eric's side. "I have taken the liberty of drafting a contract. You can review it and tell me what you think."

Eric took the document and began to read it, his expression focused and serious. The terms were generous, the partnership was long-term, and the potential for profit was immense. He read through every clause, then nodded and passed it silently to Aiden, who had been standing by his chair. Aiden, in turn, read it just as carefully, his own sharp eyes scanning for any hidden loopholes or disadvantages. When he was done, he gave Eric a single, almost imperceptible nod of approval.

"It is a fine proposal, Duke Nelson," Eric said. "It would be a pleasure to do business with you." He took the quill pen that was offered to him, dipped it in the inkwell, and signed his name with a confident flourish. Nelson signed as well, and then pressed his family's seal into a pool of warm, red wax, making the deal official.

"Likewise, Duke Eric," Nelson replied, a look of deep satisfaction on his face. This partnership would make them both very wealthy men.

Just as they were about to shake hands again to seal the successful negotiation, a soft knock came on the study door.

"It is me, Father," Eudora's sweet voice echoed from behind the door. "I have brought some refreshments."

"Come in, my dear," Nelson replied, his professional demeanor softening at the sound of his daughter's voice.

Eudora came into the study, followed by a maid who carried a large silver tray laden with a teapot, a pitcher of cool water, and a plate of delicate pastries. As the maid stood silently in the room, holding the tray, Eudora began to serve their guests, a perfect hostess.

She poured her father a cup of his favorite black tea and placed a few small pastries on a plate for him. "Thank you, my dear," he said, smiling at her.

Then, she gave Aiden a cup of tea and a plate of the same pastries. He bowed his head in a gesture of polite appreciation.

Finally, she turned to Eric. Instead of pouring him a cup of tea, she placed a tall, cool glass of water on the desk in front of him. "I do not know what kind of tea His Grace likes," she said, her voice full of a shy, pretty apology, "so I just brought a glass of water, in case he was thirsty from his long journey." She flashed him a beautiful, and undeniably seductive, smile.

Eric, who had seen this exact kind of tactic from dozens of hopeful young ladies over the years, simply returned it with his own polite, but distant, smile. "Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Lady Eudora," he said, his tone perfectly courteous.

She then served him some of the pastries, her hands brushing against his and with one last, lingering look at him, she and the maid left the study, leaving the three men to their business once more. After a while, Nelson went outside.