The Forbidden Duke

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.

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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.