Read Online Obsession (9780061887079) by Gloria Vanderbilt - Free Book Online

this—vengeful.”
    â€œWhat victory—my bee imprinted on her flesh. But it will fade. Next time I shall tattoo it myself, personally.”
    â€œMaja did indeed do a splendid job in choosing her finest goddesses to send from Janus Club—although it was a bit much for some, except for one canny beauty—what was her name? Who with remarkable grace withstood her partner’s ardor with the golden clamp, seeming even to enjoy, without pretense, the delicious pain. She’ll go far, that one. But I still say Talbot should have made it easier for Pris—after all she is Wife.”
    I give Rowena a slap. “It was Talbot’s choice to clamp only one of Priscilla’s breasts.”
    â€œIt was Phoebe—yes, now I remember—Phoebe.”
    â€œShut up, you idiot—who cares what her name is!”
    â€œCalm down, calm down, Bee.”
    â€œOh Rowena, I did enjoy myself.”
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    B EE WAKES WITH NO MEMORY of these events save for the nagging fury of having a dream she can’t recall. The weeks pass, but the more she attempts to remember the dream, the more it eludes her.
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    I N N EW Y ORK I grow increasingly restless and although our house is furnished and decorated to perfection I start changing it. Carpet suppliers, upholsterers, andpainters are summoned, but when it comes down to it, I dismiss them, leaving everything as it was although it no longer pleases me. Instead restlessness fuels extravagance and I go to Fred Leighton’s, where I purchase a Georgian Maltese cross pendant encrusted with rose diamonds. The spiritual comfort it brings suits my mood perfectly, and, spurred by success of my purchase, I hasten on to Cartier where I spot a ring, a hunk of sapphire blue as my eyes—“A star sapphire known as the ‘Star of Destiny,’” the vendeuse confides, “it suits you well, madame,”—and what’s more it fits my middle finger to perfection, but once home, flashing it in front of the mirror, I am dismayed because I can’t find the three crossing rays favoring the triple goddess of fate that shone so brightly when placed on my finger at thejeweler. No matter—it no longer captures my fancy. Nothing distracts me. I long for sleep, for only then do devious plans going round and round in my brain free themselves by fruition into dreams at night, which momentarily assuage my angry heart.
    I must see how she looks. But am I ready? Am I beautiful enough? Thin enough? Gaining as I have a few pounds since this happened, stuffing my face with the damn Teuscher chocolate truffles I can’t seem to get enough of. A few days at the spa at Canyon Ranch will give me courage. Yes—and then my jet will speed me to Santa Barbara, my Rolls-Royce will meet me at the airport, drive me to Montecito—on up to the top of the mountain to Akeru. Hearing a car approaching Bee will run into the courtyard to see who it is—at last I shall come face to face with her.
    As my chauffeur opens the door and Bee sees who is stepping out she turns ashen and faints dead away onto the cobblestones. Rowena, followed by her minions, who have been peering out the window, rush forward and carry her back into the house.
    Following behind I leave them uselessly fluttering around the dolly-mop Bee has become as they attempt to revive her. From the looks of her she’ll be out of it for god knows how long, giving me time to roam through the house unchaperoned. It is as I expected—the house, the rooms—everything—more magnificent than any house Talbot has built for me. There is reason to be jealous. Here—an aura of comfort, cozy opulence, seductive and beguiling, which I was never able to convey in the ambience of the houses Talbot and I lived in. Why is that? But now I mustpay heed only to myself. It has been a shock to come face to face with Bee. We are eerily alike. I doubt if friends could tell one from the other. Even