“I won’t be barred from your bed,” he said, still slurring his words.

“My bed?” She was white and trembling with anger. “I seem to recall I’m the one who has been barred from your bed. You didn’t wish to sully the memory of your precious Doe, remember?”

He winced, but Heather continued relentlessly. “You needn’t worry that I’ll try to force myself on you. I don’t intend to let you touch me, ever again.”

His blue eyes turned hard and glittering. “I think you’re forgetting something. You still owe me fifteen hundred dollars.”

She felt the color drain from her face. Even on their wedding night, Sloan had used her debt to drive a wedge between them.

Dark fury burned in his bloodshot eyes as his gaze raked down her body. “You’re my bride, bought and paid for.”

“Perhaps so.” She was trembling now. “But I’ve begun repaying you from my weekly salary—and I’ll continue until I’ve returned every penny.”

“At three dollars a week, it’ll take years.”

“Then I’ll look for a job that pays more.”

“I have a better idea,” Sloan retorted, each slurred word cutting like a knife. “You can pay me back in services.”

“What… do you mean?”

“Sex, duchess. You give me sex for canceling your debt. What’d’ya say to ten bucks a shot? That’s one hell of a price for a few minutes on your back.”

Heather clenched her teeth to stop the sudden whimper of pain that bubbled forth. His offer was not just a deliberate insult; he was deadly serious.

His hands unsteady, Sloan fumbled in his pants pocket and drew out a tendollar gold piece. Ignoring the stricken look in her eyes, he forced it into her hand.

“What about it, duchess?” His voice, though thick, held a razor edge that tore tiny chunks from her heart. “You wanted to repay your debt. Well, thish is as good a way as any. But I have to warn you, I believe in gettin’ my money’s worth.”

“You want me to whore for you?” A million layers of hurt bled through her tremulous whisper.

“You could call it that—though I doan see how it’s any different than what you been doing for the past five months, even if we do have a marriage license.”

She slapped him them. Hard… with as much strength and fury as she could muster.

The blow to his cheek jerked his head around, while the gold piece fell from her hand. When he looked at her again, his eyes were narrowed and fierce. His grip on her wrist tightened.

Ashen-faced, Heather tried to pull away from him. His eyes had an icy gleam to them that frightened her.