His mouth curled mockingly at her question. “Not only a bluestocking, a reformer in the bargain.”

“They mean to serve dinner in a short while.”

“I know. It comes with the car. I paid for it.”

She fell silent, but Sloan felt her gaze searching his face. Still riled at the unnecessary expense of the private car, he averted his own gaze to survey his surroundings. The fancy accommodations had put him further in debt, to the tune of several hundred dollars. It was masculine pride that had spurred him to refuse Randolf’s gift. That, and a desire to quash the baron’s efforts at manipulation. He wanted to be rid of the man for good, to get him out of Heather’s life entirely. Didn’t want him having anything to do with his wife. Heather belonged to him now. Whether he wanted her or not.

She was still looking at him, her brow furrowed with concern. “How much did you spend for the car?”

“What does it matter?”

“I want to know how much more I’m obligated to you.”

“Three hundred dollars.”

She made a small sound of dismay. “So much?”

“You’re the one who insisted on accepting it.”

“But you didn’t have to pay for it. There was no need.”

“There was every need. I won’t be indebted to a man like Randolf.”

“Evan meant the use of his car as a wedding gift, an acknowledgment of our long acquaintance.”

“No. He meant it to keep you bound to him. He still thinks he has a claim to you.” Sloan’s gaze scorched her. “You’re my wife now, duchess, and I’ll thank you to remember it.”

Heather’s spine straightened. “I thought you were the one who wished to forget it.”

“I don’t reckon I can manage that, considering I paid fifteen hundred dollars for the privilege of marrying you.”

“How kind of you to remind me.”

Their gazes clashed, blue warring with gold.

“I intend to repay every penny of my debt to you,” Heather replied tautly.

Sloan’s mouth curled with skepticism. “And just how do you mean to do that?”

“Perhaps I can take in sewing or mending, or tutor ranchers’ children.”

“You’ll be too busy with my ranch and my daughter to think about doing chores for anyone else. And come summer, the senate race will be starting.”

“That may be so. But I have no intention of letting that debt hang over my head forever—or having you think I mean to live off your charity.”

Fortunately for the sake of peace, two porters arrived just then bearing silver trays with their dinner. Heather would have preferred to eat in the dining car to avoid being alone with her disagreeable husband, but short of creating a scene, she would have to endure his company.