Possessions by Judith Michael Page A

pursed her lips. “A good wife never comments on her husband’s toys.”
    â€œMy dear Melanie, you know better than to suggest that my brother collects other women. Or plays with them.” Shifting his glass, his hand brushed her bare arm. “If you’re looking for reasons to divorce him, you’ll have to look elsewhere.”
    â€œAnd if I find some?”
    â€œIt would amaze us all.” He watched Ross bring Katherine a glass of wine.
    â€œAmaze you! Haven’t I told you, over and over—?”
    â€œOver and over.” He smiled at her. “Proving how easy it is to complain about a husband without giving up his bank account.”
    â€œDerek, Melanie,” said Tobias, behind them. “Deep in a sinister plot?”
    â€œExchanging recipes,” Derek said smoothly. “How are you, Tobias? Still well? Still writing your book on—what was it? Cannibalism?”
    â€œLove,” Tobias corrected cheerfully. “I think you have them confused, Derek.” His blue eyes were wide and innocent above the neat white beard that quivered as he spoke. “And then of course, the family history, as you also know. Perhaps I should interview you for both books. With your unique viewpoint—”
    â€œI think Victoria wants you,” Derek cut in, seeing his grandmother look around the room. “Aren’t you being her good brother and helping host this festive affair?”
    Tobias shot him a quick glance, his eyes briefly penetrating, then wandering and amiable again. “Claude is helping, which he enjoys, so I can tiptoe about, listening, which I enjoy. How did you and Melanie resist discussing our newest family member?”
    â€œExcuse me,” said Melanie abruptly, and walked across the room, casually inserting herself between Katherine and Ross.“We’ve hardly met,” she said to Katherine. “Everybody’s monopolizing you, but after all it was my husband who found you so I should get a chance, don’t you think?”
    Katherine felt as if a light had flared beside her, exposing everything about her that was wrong. Next to Melanie’s blue silk dress her linen suit was wrinkled and plain; her hair was dull compared to Melanie’s gleaming ebony; her pale skin washed out beside Melanie’s golden tan. And she knew, as she pulled her shoulders back, trying to stand straight, that Melanie’s gliding walk across the room came from a confidence and wealth she did not even know how to imitate. In the luxury of Victoria’s apartment, among these wealthy people, Katherine felt as strange and uncomfortable as a foreigner.
    Still, she was the center of attention. Ross had told her she would be, when he invited her to meet them. “It’s your family too; you should know them and let them get to know you, let them get used to the idea of you and the children. After all—” He had looked bemused for a moment, realizing anew the enormity of what had happened. “After fifteen years, to discover someone you loved is not dead but alive, and married, with children—”
    â€œHe may . . . not be alive,” Katherine had said.
    â€œI’m assuming he is. But even if he isn’t, you have a family in San Francisco and everyone has a lot of catching up to do.”
    He had made it seem so simple. And in the two days before they flew there, as they tried to imagine that unknown family, Katherine became excited about the Haywards and Jennifer and Todd overcame their confusion enough to be intrigued by the idea of suddenly having grandparents, as well as the prospect of their first airplane trip. “But I still don’t see,” Jennifer said on Sunday, when they were high above the earth and she could tear herself from the window, “why Daddy never told us he had a family.” “That’s the nine millionth time you’ve said that,” Todd grumbled, frustrated