Chapter 3

The days after Alexander Blackwood's sudden appearance at her family’s estate passed in a haze. Seraphina went through the motions of her daily life, attending luncheons, teas, and social gatherings, but her mind remained fixated on the enigmatic Duke. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t shake the memory of their encounter in the garden—the way his deep voice had stirred something inside her, or the haunted look in his eyes when he spoke of betrayal.

She found herself slipping away from her duties more and more often, escaping to the Beaumont library, where she could indulge her thoughts of Alexander in private. There, she poured over books on noble families and their histories, searching for any clues about his past. The rumors about his exile were rampant, but the truth remained elusive.

“Seraphina, are you even listening?”

Her mother’s sharp voice cut through her reverie, and Seraphina blinked, realizing she had been lost in thought once again. They were seated in the drawing room, a guest by the name of Lady Margaret droning on about her latest charity project. Seraphina’s mother, ever the picture of propriety, was fully engaged in the conversation, but Seraphina could hardly bring herself to care.

“I’m sorry, Mother,” Seraphina said, forcing a polite smile. “My mind was elsewhere.”

Her mother shot her a disapproving look but said nothing. Lady Margaret continued her chatter, seemingly oblivious to Seraphina’s lack of attention.

As soon as the visit ended, Seraphina excused herself and retreated once more to the library. She needed to be alone, to think, to process everything that had happened. Her mother had been relentless in pushing Lord Camden into her path, but all Seraphina could think of was Alexander.

Later that afternoon, she found herself drawn to a small bookshop in the less fashionable part of town. It was a place she had discovered years ago, a quiet haven where she could browse rare and obscure volumes without the prying eyes of the ton. As she entered the shop, the scent of leather and parchment filled her senses, and she immediately felt at ease.

She wandered through the narrow aisles, running her fingers along the spines of the books, until a familiar voice spoke from behind her.

“I didn’t take you for a lover of rare books, Lady Seraphina.”

Her heart jumped, and she whirled around to see Alexander standing there, a teasing smile playing on his lips. His presence filled the small space, the air suddenly thick with the same tension she had felt the night of the masquerade.

“I could say the same for you, Your Grace,” she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. “What brings you to such a quiet place?”

Alexander stepped closer, his eyes never leaving hers. “Solitude has its merits. Much like secrets.”

Her breath hitched at his words, her curiosity getting the better of her. “Are you always so cryptic, or is it just with me?”

His smile faltered, and for a moment, Seraphina saw something raw in his expression—an unguarded vulnerability that made her heart ache. “I have learned that secrets protect us from the harsh realities of this world, Lady Seraphina.”

“You speak as if you’ve been burdened by many,” she said softly, daring to take a step closer to him. “Is that why you keep everyone at a distance?”

Alexander’s eyes darkened, and the teasing tone in his voice disappeared. “Some secrets are not meant to be shared.”

Seraphina’s chest tightened, but she couldn’t let it go. She had to know more. “Then why tell me anything at all? Why warn me to stay away when you know I won’t?”

He stared at her for a long moment, his gaze so intense she felt as though he could see straight through her. “Because you deserve more than the ruin I would bring to your life.”

“I’m not afraid of scandal,” Seraphina whispered, her voice trembling with the weight of the confession. “Not if it means understanding you.”

Alexander’s jaw tightened, and he turned away, staring at the rows of books as if they held the answers he was unwilling to share. “You do not know what you are asking.”

“Then tell me,” she pressed, her voice more determined now. “Tell me what happened.”

For a long, agonizing moment, she thought he would refuse. But then, with a sigh, he turned back to face her, the tension in his posture evident.

“There was a woman,” he began, his voice low and controlled. “A woman I thought I loved. She was everything I believed I wanted—charming, beautiful, and cunning. I trusted her with my heart, with my life.” His lips curled into a bitter smile. “But she betrayed me.”

Seraphina’s heart ached at the pain in his voice. She couldn’t imagine what it must have felt like, to be betrayed by someone you loved so deeply.

“She turned the ton against me,” Alexander continued. “She manipulated the truth, twisted it, until I was the villain. There was a duel—one I didn’t want, but one I had no choice but to fight. When it was over, the man who had challenged me was dead.”

Seraphina’s breath caught in her throat. “The duel... it wasn’t your fault.”

“No,” Alexander agreed, his voice hollow. “But in the eyes of society, it was. The woman I loved fled, her reputation intact, while mine was left in ruins. I was cast out, my name whispered only in scandal, my family shamed.”

“I’m so sorry,” Seraphina said softly, taking a step closer. “You didn’t deserve that.”

“Deserve it or not, it is my reality,” he replied, his tone cold but the hurt still clear in his eyes. “That is why I warned you, Lady Seraphina. You cannot be associated with me. It would destroy everything you hold dear.”

She shook her head, her voice firm. “I don’t care about what they say. I care about you.”

For a moment, Alexander’s expression softened, as though he couldn’t quite believe her words. His hand reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. The touch was so gentle, so tender, that it made her heart ache.

“You are too kind, Seraphina,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “But I cannot allow you to sacrifice your future for me.”

“I don’t care about the future,” she insisted, her eyes searching his. “I care about this—about us.”

A flicker of longing passed through his eyes, and for the briefest moment, Seraphina thought he might give in. But then, just as quickly, he pulled away, his face hardening once more.

“I am not the man you believe I am,” he said, his voice cold and distant. “Stay away from me, Seraphina. For both our sakes.”

And with that, he turned and left the shop, disappearing into the shadows once more.

Seraphina stood there, her heart pounding in her chest, torn between the pain of his rejection and the overwhelming desire to chase after him. She knew Alexander was trying to protect her, but she also knew that she couldn’t simply walk away.

She was falling for him, and no warning or scandal could stop her now.