With no more than a brusque nod then, he left.

It took all Heather’s willpower not to slam the door behind him. She felt herself trembling, whether in outrage or nerves or self-disdain, she wasn’t certain. She couldn’t explain the effect Sloan McCord had on her, or why a man she barely knew had the power to rouse such fierce emotions in her.

Heather returned to the parlor reluctantly, unwilling to face the curiosity in Winnie’s blue eyes. The older lady had poured them each a cup of tea. Heather accepted her cup gratefully and sat beside her on the settee.

With her usual frankness, Winnie voiced her thoughts at once. “I declare, that man is potent.”

Heather let out her breath. He was indeed. She was still shivering from his embrace. However would her senses survive a lifetime with him? She shook herself mentally, not wanting to remember the sensation of his body pressed against hers, or the taste of his kiss. Or her own wanton response. It was shameful, the way her body had betrayed her.

She flushed as she felt Winifred’s penetrating gaze on her.

“You’re not having second thoughts, are you, dear?”

“A few,” Heather admitted truthfully.

“It’s only to be expected. All brides have wedding jitters. But this is the perfect solution for you both. It will solve your problems and his. You get your debts paid while he gains the ideal wife.”

“Winnie … I believe you misled me about his financial situation. Mr. McCord isn’t nearly as well off as I understood.”

The older woman’s blue eyes widened innocently. “Is he not?”

“No. But he insists on paying the money I owe Evan, even though he can’t afford it.”

Winnie considered that as she sipped her tea. “It’s only right that a husband take responsibility for his family. And the McCords are a proud bunch. Reminds me of someone else I know,” she added with a pointed glance at Heather. “You should let Sloan act as he sees fit.”

Heather’s gaze was troubled. “But it isn’t his debt.”

“It wasn’t yours, either,” Winnie said tartly. “It was your father’s. If Evan Randolf was half the gentleman he claims to be, he would have forgiven you those debts. Instead he used them to oblige you to him. I think you should count your blessings and consider yourself well out of it.”

Heather nodded slowly, remembering Evan’s shameful assault on her earlier. At last she was now free of his control.

It should have been liberating. Yet all she could feel was a sense of trepidation.

Had she merely exchanged one problem for another? At least with Evan she had managed to maintain some measure of independence. But after tomorrow, she would be tied to Sloan McCord in holy matrimony … for life.

There would be no turning back.