A look of sheer malice crossed her aunt’s face. ‘Yes, I hated him! He should have married me. Instead he chose my stupid sister and I never forgave him for that. When Osborne proposed I married him, only to find out he was nearly penniless. I got my revenge on Cyrus in the end by telling everyone he’d shot himself.’ Her laugh was ugly. ‘That made him look like a weak man. And with Albert’s help I was determined to get my hands on some of the money he’d left you.’

The temptation to hit the cruel woman was great, but Jenny managed to resist – just. She stayed toe to toe with her. ‘And you thought you could take control?’

‘Of course. You were too young to handle your own affairs.’

‘Why were you so determined to marry me to him?’ She nodded in Greaves’s direction. ‘As my husband he would have had control of the money, surely.’

‘We’d drawn up a written agreement to share it. We were both in financial difficulties.’ Gertrude Osborne was speaking quite freely now, obviously realizing that it would be useless to refuse to speak.

Jenny raised her eyebrows at Dwight. ‘A legal agreement between thieves. What do you think of that?’

‘Despicable, Jenny,’ he drawled, ‘but they’d forgotten one thing. Your father appointed me your guardian and left me in control of the purse strings.’ He gave an apologetic shrug. ‘But, do you know, I do believe I forgot to mention that to them.’

She tutted in a parody of censure. ‘How very remiss of you.’

He grinned.

Now Jenny turned her attention to Greaves. ‘You are the most evil of the pathetic trio. When I wouldn’t come to you willingly, you sent two thugs after me. They stabbed Matthew and nearly killed him. I’ll never forgive you for that, and if there is ever a way to have you charged with attempted murder, I’ll see you stand trial.’ She had the satisfaction of seeing him blanch at the threat. ‘Would $25,000 split between the two of you have cleared your debts?’

‘Not quite, but there was more to come when you were twenty-one,’ Greaves mumbled, now with a very unhealthy-looking flush to his skin. ‘A lot more, and as your husband I’d have had it all.’

She turned slowly to face Dwight. ‘More?’

He raised his hands in surrender. ‘You rushed out before I got to that part.’

‘How much?’

He grinned again. ‘About $50,000.’

‘Really?’ Jenny fought to control a hysterical laugh from bursting out as she heard her mother gasp. This was becoming more ridiculous by the minute.