Chapter 9

The following days passed in a blur of preparation. Seraphina and Alexander worked together, piecing together every bit of information they had on Camden, identifying his weaknesses and trying to anticipate his next move. Seraphina knew that the plan they were about to execute was fraught with danger, but her resolve never wavered. She would see Camden fall, no matter the cost.

Seraphina’s role was crucial: she would need to play the part of a woman reconsidering her engagement to Lord Camden, spinning a convincing enough story to earn his trust again. The thought of returning to him, of pretending to care for a man who had manipulated and threatened her, made her stomach churn, but she steeled herself. The end goal was worth it.

“Are you sure about this?” Alexander asked for the hundredth time as they stood in the grand drawing room of Ravenhall Manor. His expression was tight with worry, his hand resting protectively on her arm.

“I am,” Seraphina said firmly, looking up at him with determined eyes. “We have no other choice. This is the only way to get close enough to find the proof we need.”

Alexander sighed, his brow furrowed. “I don’t like the thought of you being near him. If anything were to happen…”

Seraphina placed her hand over his, offering a reassuring smile. “I’ll be careful. I know Camden’s tricks now, and I won’t fall for them. But I can’t do this alone. I need you with me, even if from a distance.”

He kissed her hand softly, his gaze lingering on her face. “I’ll be nearby, watching every move. The moment something feels wrong, you get out. Promise me.”

“I promise,” she said, though her heart clenched at the thought of leaving before they had what they needed.

The plan was simple in its complexity: Seraphina would return to Camden’s estate under the guise of making amends, seeking reconciliation and offering herself as a compliant fiancée. It was risky, but they had reason to believe that Camden, with his ambition and desire for control, wouldn’t be able to resist welcoming her back into his grasp. While Camden believed he had regained the upper hand, Seraphina would search for the documents Alexander needed to prove Camden’s guilt.

---

The carriage ride to Camden’s estate was tense, each turn of the wheel bringing Seraphina closer to her fate. She wore a pale blue gown, modest and unassuming, though its simplicity belied the steeliness of her intentions. Her heart raced as the estate loomed into view, a grand structure surrounded by meticulously kept grounds, its tall, imposing silhouette a reflection of Camden’s power.

As she arrived at the front door, the familiar knot of anxiety formed in her stomach, but she pushed it down, determined to carry out her role flawlessly. The butler who greeted her at the door did not seem surprised to see her, though his gaze lingered longer than usual. She had no doubt Camden had been informed of her approach long before her arrival.

“Lady Seraphina,” the butler said, bowing deeply. “Lord Camden is expecting you. Please, follow me.”

Seraphina nodded, stepping through the threshold of the estate she had once dreaded entering. Every step echoed her fear, but she kept her composure, knowing that any sign of hesitation could give her away. She followed the butler through the grand halls, her heart pounding louder with each step, until finally, they arrived at Camden’s study.

The door opened to reveal Lord Camden standing by the window, his back to her. He was still as commanding as ever, his tall frame outlined by the afternoon sunlight. When he turned to face her, his expression was unreadable, though his eyes gleamed with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

“Seraphina,” he said, his voice low and smooth. “I must admit, I didn’t expect to see you again so soon.”

She lowered her head slightly, playing the part of a contrite woman seeking forgiveness. “I… I’ve had time to think, my lord. I realize now that I acted rashly in refusing your proposal. My father—” she paused, feigning a breath of shame, “—he’s been insistent that I reconsider.”

Camden raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a knowing smirk. “Your father, hm? And what of your Duke? I imagine he didn’t take kindly to your sudden change of heart.”

Seraphina swallowed hard, knowing Camden would test her at every turn. “Alexander…” she faltered, “was never meant to be a permanent part of my life. You and I, we are bound by duty, and I see that now. I cannot defy my family any longer.”

Camden stepped toward her, his gaze intense as he studied her face. She fought to maintain her composure, her pulse quickening as he approached. He reached out, lifting her chin with a single finger, forcing her to meet his eyes.

“You disappoint me, Seraphina,” he said softly. “You think I don’t see through your little charade? You think I don’t know where your loyalties truly lie?”

Her heart leaped into her throat, but she forced herself to remain calm. “I don’t know what you mean, my lord.”

Camden’s smile was slow, calculating. “You’re here because you have no other choice. Your father sent you, yes, but not to honor me. He sent you because you’ve disgraced your family, and now you’re trying to salvage what little reputation you have left.”

Seraphina’s breath hitched, but she held his gaze, refusing to give in to the panic rising in her chest. “I came because I understand my duty now,” she said, her voice steady. “I am ready to be your wife, to uphold the arrangement that was always intended.”

For a moment, Camden said nothing, his eyes searching her face as if looking for cracks in her resolve. Then, slowly, he lowered his hand and stepped back, his expression shifting into one of amusement.

“Very well, my dear,” he said with a mocking smile. “If you truly wish to return to my side, who am I to refuse you?”

Seraphina allowed herself a small sigh of relief, though her nerves remained taut. She had passed the first test, but the hardest part was yet to come. Camden’s estate was vast, and she would need to find an opportunity to search for the incriminating documents without drawing suspicion.

“Come,” Camden said, offering her his arm. “Let us talk of your… return to grace.”

Seraphina took his arm, forcing herself to smile as he led her out of the study. They walked in silence for a while, her heart racing as she plotted her next move. She had to find a way to search his private study, where Alexander suspected the most damning evidence might be hidden.

But as they walked, Camden’s grip on her arm tightened, and he leaned in close, his voice low and dangerous. “Know this, Seraphina—if you betray me again, there will be consequences. And this time, no one—not even your precious Duke—will be able to save you.”

Seraphina swallowed hard, her pulse quickening with fear. Camden wasn’t fooled by her act. He was watching her every move, waiting for her to slip.

The stakes had never been higher.

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Later that evening, Seraphina wandered through the halls of Camden’s estate under the pretense of becoming reacquainted with her future home. She had managed to avoid Camden’s watchful eye for a short while, giving her just enough time to slip into his private study. Her heart pounded in her chest as she closed the door behind her and began her search.

The study was immaculate, with bookshelves lining the walls and a large mahogany desk in the center of the room. Seraphina moved quickly but methodically, rifling through papers, drawers, and ledgers. She knew she didn’t have much time before Camden would notice her absence.

She was about to give up when her fingers brushed against something odd at the bottom of a drawer—a false bottom. Her heart raced as she lifted the panel to reveal a stack of letters, carefully hidden beneath.

With trembling hands, she unfolded the first letter. Her breath caught in her throat as she read the contents. It was a correspondence between Camden and another man, detailing payments made to ensure the downfall of the Duke of Ravenhall’s family. The letter confirmed everything Alexander had suspected.

Seraphina’s pulse quickened. She had found it—the proof they needed.

But just as she was about to slip the letters into her dress, the door to the study creaked open.

Camden stood in the doorway, his expression cold and unforgiving.

“You really should have left well enough alone, Seraphina.”