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Focusing on Drake’s question and Heywood’s answer was easier than letting himself dwell on the turmoil of emotions that had taken up residence in his chest.

“Pick up the potions to be used. I did not know why there were so many,” Heywood said defensively. Then his shoulders sagged. “I did not care. As long as I got what I wanted. Which was St. Albans dead. I also went to fetch gunpowder from Peter, back when he was working on the Montagu estate. I did not deliver it to the hunting lodge, though; I was never there.” The defensiveness had crept back into his voice, as though he was trying to explain away his role. As if he had not known that something terrible was going to happen.

Clearly, he had. He just hadn’t realized to how many people.

Sebastian wondered if that would have mattered to him.

Sadly, for Heywood’s sake, he had a feeling it would have. The man had a bit of a conscience left to him. As he spoke, unburdening himself of the truth, he seemed almost relieved to have it out in the open.

Christian bristled, obviously disturbed by realizing Mei’s other attacker worked on his estate. Sebastian could sympathize. There were all sorts of revelations coming to light now, with Heywood’s confession that were going to haunt more than one of them for months to come.

Especially him.

“Peter supplied the gunpowder?” Drake asked, digging in deeper. His voice had shifted again, turning almost coaxing, as though he’d realized Heywood would respond better to that than the harsher tones.

“Yes. He was upset with your father, I found out later.” Heywood’s expression darkened. “Said your father stole his wife from him, made me think we had something in common, but… eventually, I realized Peter was the one hurting her. Bad enough that she went looking for help, and I think your father must have helped her. Peter wanted revenge on your father for rescuing her, not for harming her.”

Drake nodded, pressing his lips together, though he didn’t say anything. Out of the corner of his eye, Sebastian saw Lady Astrid sit back against the couch, a thoughtful expression on her face.

“And now he works for Montagu?”

“No. Works for that bloke Heger now.” Heywood shook his head. “Nasty piece’o’work he is. I wouldn’t have chosen to get involved, but Her Grace had me over a barrel, and then she offered a way out. I wanted to leave here and never come back, and…” Now his gaze rose up to where Mei was, and Sebastian shifted, trying to put her further behind him, but Mei held her ground, meeting Heywood’s gaze. “I’m sorry, miss. I am.”

Sebastian glanced down at Mei, who stared back at Heywood, her expression blank. She offered neither condemnation nor absolution, and after a moment, the man looked away again, toward the windows.

“You know he won’t tell you anything,” Heywood said, turning his attention back to Drake. “He’d rather die.”

“I’m sure he’ll get his wish,” Drake replied grimly. “Is there anything else? Anything else she’s asked you to do?”

“No.” Heywood shook his head. “That’s all. Isn’t that enough?”

Bloody hell. It was more than enough. Sebastian felt his fists clench and unclench at his side. He turned toward Mei, where she was still holding him. Had been holding him. Supporting him. And wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly to him.

My mother had my father killed.

She’d orchestrated the murder of his father. Not just his father, but seven other dukes as well. His friends’ fathers.

All while Sebastian had been completely blind to who she was.

What she was.

A monster.

“No,” Mei murmured, which was when he realized he’d said the words out loud. “She’s a human. A person who has chosen to do monstrous things. We do not know why.”

“She and my father did not always get along… but…” Sebastian’s voice cracked.

“There are plenty of ton couples who do not,” Nathanial murmured from beside him, and Sebastian felt his friend’s hand land on his shoulder. “There is no way you could have known.”

He could not have known about how his mother treated his sister.

He could not have known about his mother’s culpability in the murder of their father.

Sebastian was very tired of not knowing. Especially when it came to his mother.

He lifted his head and looked at Heywood.

“Where is she now?” His voice remained steady, though he would not call it strong. But it was a demand, not the plaintive cry he felt welling up inside him. He tightened his arms around Mei.