Free West (History Interrupted Book 1) by Lizzy Ford Page B

smile. It smelled funky, of horses, smoke, people and waste, but I was seeing something no one in my time had.
    “Josie, my cousin.”
    I turned and glanced at the man who was little taller than me with cold, blue eyes, a mustache and a suit that looked new. He approached, followed by two other men. He was the man from Nell’s thoughts.
    My empathic memory kicked in when he was within arm’s reach. I saw his and Nell’s and suspected the empathic memory chip was activated by proximity. The images began flowing when he was within arms reach, and I watched them. I had been fascinated by Nell’s memories, but those that flowed from this man were disturbing: of the time he’d slapped real-Josie when she was thirteen and tried to rape her when she was seventeen. He viewed me with desire and contempt and John with absolute disdain.
    Taken aback by the images, I realized Nell’s suspicion wasn’t misplaced.
    “Philip,” I replied.
    “You look different,” he said, studying me with a frown. “I was worried my ill uncle had been taken advantage of by some … harlot.” His eyes went down my body as he spoke, and they rested on my breasts.
    Bad man . The images in my mind seemed to confirm that. He wasn’t thinking about Josie’s naked body but the small frame of another woman struggling to escape him while he choked her out.
    “Still beating and raping your servants?” I asked, frowning. Before Philip, it hadn’t occurred to me that the empathic memories would also show me the kinds of secrets and sins that people generally didn’t want known. Or maybe a man like this didn’t have reason to care in an era when women didn’t have many rights.
    His gaze flew up to my face.
    “Spending your coin at the whorehouse and on wagers,” I continued. “You are no different, either, cousin.”
    I heard Nell mumbling under her breath while Philip stared at me. The men behind him chuckled. Finally, he smiled tightly.
    “My cousin. Always one to jest,” he said loudly enough for everyone near us to hear. “I missed you, Josie.”
    I didn’t want a man like him to hug me but didn’t resist, afraid of drawing too much of his attention. He smelled of whiskey and smoke and held me too tightly, yet it was the memories that made me almost ill.
    “Tell me, harlot. What did you do with my cousin?” he whispered.
    “Why, whatever do you mean, cousin?” I asked in a syrupy sweet voice and pulled away. “I do believe you grew a few inches while I was away.”
    “You will not lie to me when we are alone,” he returned for my ears only.
    “I’ve seen what you do to women you’re alone with. There’s no chance of that happening,” I said in the same quiet voice.
    We glared at each other for a long moment before he finally stepped away.
    “What a grand thing for you to return when your father is so ill!” he proclaimed. Several of the men around him murmured their assent.
    “Be nice to him.” Nell all but dragged me back to hiss into my ear. “He is powerful, Miss Josie. In a month, he’ll be the mayor.”
    It took effort for me not to roll my eyes. Aware the governess knew the customs of this world far better than I did, I plastered on a smile. “Will you walk with me, cousin?” I asked, holding out my arm.
    He took it, and we began walking.
    “My father sends his regards from England,” he said as we moved slowly down the road.
    I almost laughed but caught myself. His memories told a different story than his words. “Is this a test, cousin?” I asked. “Your father has been dead for fifteen years at least.”
    “You must have known the real Josie.”
    “I am the real Josie.”
    “No, cousin , you are not. And when your father is gone, I will insure my inheritance is ripped from you and you are cast back whence you came. Though if you choose to stay in my home, you will do so with your legs spread at my desire.”
    I did laugh at that. It was the wrong reaction, which didn’t quite register until his face