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Then he could question him again sometime in the next few days with at least Drake and Gregory with him, if not more of his friends as well.
Once news of Harleen’s death spread, everyone would assume that Sebastian was upset about both her demise and the fact that his mother had not informed the London household of it—which had the benefit of being true. It was a good cover for questioning without tipping off anyone in the conspiracy.
But when Sebastian walked into his study, now fully dressed, Riggs was there alone. Alone and practically vibrating with distress, which Sebastian had never seen before.
“What’s wrong, Riggs? Where is Mr. Heywood?”
“Gone, Your Grace. It looks like in a hurry, too.” Riggs’ mouth tightened. “His room has been cleared out. I went to the stables, and… well, Your Grace, your mother left in one of the unmarked carriages with Posy, and Mr. Heywood serving as her coachman.”
Which Riggs obviously disapproved of, as that was not Heywood’s position. Sebastian’s mind blanked.
Most of his carriages had his crest on them to indicate whose it was. However, sometimes there was a need for an unmarked carriage for discretion. Those carriages blended in with the general populace, rather than standing out, and would be much harder to spot on the street.
Why would his mother…
“Your Grace, your mother left this note on her dresser,” Riggs said, holding up a small envelope with Sebastian’s name on it in her elegant script.
“Did she take any of her things?” It was the only thing Sebastian could think of to ask as he held out his hand for the note. His mind reeled, trying to put together what was going on, but it was as though he was holding the pieces of multiple puzzles. None of them fit with each other.
“I… am uncertain, Your Grace.” Riggs winced at his own lack of knowledge. Not something he liked to admit. “Posy was the one who was most familiar with her room. I can find one of the maids who cleans it, but they did not touch most of the duchesses’ things or open her wardrobe.”
“Of course.” Sebastian ripped open the envelope. He needed to know what his mother was doing. What was she thinking? Had choosing Heywood been coincidence, or… His mind shied away from the possibility that she’d had a reason for choosing the man.
He scanned the note, reading as quickly as possible.
My darling son,
I understand that you think you are in love. And we all do foolish things for love. But I cannot allow you to dishonor the family or endanger our family line.
And because I love you so much, I realize that you will not wish to see me while you work your way through your heartbreak. But I know that one day you will understand why I took action and how it was the best thing for both you and our family.
Do not worry, my darling boy, we will see each other again, but I think it is best I absent myself from the household for the time being.
Your loving mother
Sebastian stared at the words. He read them again.
“Riggs.” His voice sounded odd. Hollow. “When did my mother leave?”
“I am not entirely certain, Your Grace, but I think it would have been close to the time you got into your bath.” Riggs winced again.
Sebastian ignored it, his mind racing.
It did not make sense. None of this made sense.
But as he stared at the note, a growing feeling of fear and rage coiled in his gut.
His mother did not want him to marry Mei.
His mother was taking action.
Even as his head tried to tell him that he was being paranoid, that there was no way his mother would possibly…
His heart knew.
Mei was in danger.
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