Rosanna hesitated and glanced at Penny. The latter started to move away.
“No, don’t go,” Rosanna said quickly. “I am sure that anything Mrs. Leeds may wish to say to me can be said in front of you.”
“Very well,” Mrs. Leeds returned icily. “Evidence has reached me today which proves conclusively that I am Jacob Winters’ sole heir.”
Rosanna took the blow without the quiver of an eyelash.
“What evidence, may I ask, Mrs. Leeds?”
“I don’t feel compelled to go into that, Miss Winters. Certainly not in the presence of strangers or on the street.”
“Penny isn’t exactly a stranger,” Rosanna smiled.
“From the first I have been very tolerant, I think,” Mrs. Leeds went on, ignoring the orphan’s remark. “By your own admission you have no credentials—we have only your word that you are even related to Jacob Winters.”
“I had a letter and key—the same as you,” Rosanna faltered. “Either I lost them or they were stolen.”
“And Rosanna happens to be a niece of Mr. Winters,” Penny added significantly. “I believe you are only a cousin, Mrs. Leeds?”