“Judy!” Adrienne embraced Judy’s size 2 ice blue Pucci shift. “You look absolutely gorgeous!”

And then came the moment Judy couldn’t believe was happening in her own lifetime. She heard herself say, “Adrienne, do you know my friend Samantha Acton?”

Adrienne extended her hand, “I’m sure our paths have crossed. I’m so happy you’re here. Are you in Palm Beach for the holidays?”

“Yes, we’re at The Breakers,” Judy rushed to answer.

Adrienne was stunned that they were spending the holidays together. Maybe she had underestimated Judy.

“This is my friend Shelly Landon.”

“Yes, hello.” Shelly smiled at Samantha. “I admire your husband.”

Samantha was too discreet to ask if she admired Charlie personally or dermatologically.

“Is that Frankie Weissman over there talking to Tina Schultz?” Judy almost shrieked. “I certainly didn’t expect to see her here.”

“Oh, I love Tina. She has so much style,” Adrienne answered quickly.

“I meant Dr. Weissman. You told me you were leaving her practice. You told me you hated going up to her office in East Harlem.”

“Actually, I solved the Dr. Weissman problem. I got Paul to throw some serious money at her favorite public school health care center,” Adrienne announced with pride. “And now she never keeps me waiting. I mean, what the hell is the money for? That’s one of the first things you learn in Hollywood.”

Samantha turned her head as Adrienne continued to talk. She found women like Adrienne Strong-Rodman insufferable. Under the Buccellati, the Bulgari, and the Botox, women like Adrienne were never particularly attractive or, for that matter, interesting. She was overkill, just like her three names. Samantha thought women like Adrienne used their sexuality with a manipulative cunning, similar to their husbands’ dealmaking. In Samantha’s eye, Adrienne Rodman symbolized the worst of new money. Unlike Judy Tremont, who had obvious naïve aspiration, Adrienne was merely hard and entitled.

“Pardon me, Adrienne. I think I’ll go say hello to Frankie. I’m very fond of her.” Samantha politely escaped her host.

“Oh yes, I’m very fond of her, too.” Judy immediately tagged along behind her.

As soon as Frankie had arrived on the boat, Adrienne insisted that she find Jessica and treat that persistent rash. When Frankie located Jessica in the map room with her head in the lap of Shelly’s fourteen-year-old son, she didn’t mention that the cause of the rash could become chronic.

“Frankie, I’m so happy to see you.” Samantha kissed both of her cheeks. “You know Judy Tremont.”

“Yes, of course.” Frankie shook Judy’s hand and turned back to Samantha. “Jil told me you were in Palm Beach.”

“Who? Who?” Judy didn’t want Frankie to usurp the conversation. Samantha was her new best friend tonight and she would not permit this dreary interloper to come between them. She didn’t care how smart Frankie Weissman was supposed to be. She was still wearing some black boxy Dana Buchman career skirt on a festive night in Florida. Black on a yacht was, as far as Judy was concerned, only appropriate for pirates.