“This is so great. That’s actually what we’re doing tonight.”

“The Ottoman Empire?” Charlie asked.

“Well, I wanted to do something fun and fusion but I’m just so tired of everyone bringing in that chef from Nobu. And all that endless sashimi. I don’t care how you slice it, it’s still raw fish.”

“Yes, indeed.” Charlie had no idea how Judy had sailed so swiftly from Japan to the straits of the Bosphorus.

“So I decided, What the heck! Go for Turkusion!” She pronounced each syllable with pride.

“Beg your pardon?” Charlie was honestly not following.

“A little Turkish. A little English. A hint of Asian. Plus my own chef is topping it off with a good old-fashioned American dessert.”

“Best part of the meal.” Charlie decided to get Judy off the transworld menu. “This is a terrific apartment.”

“Actually, we’ve hired Pippa Rose to simplify it. It’s getting a little heavy for me. Plus, I told Albert it’s unpatriotic now to sleep with the French these days.” Judy laughed at her own racy joke.

“Well, we’re delighted to be here,” Charlie added. “Such a treat on a dreary winter night. Where’s Albert?”

“You know Albert. He’s reading the kids to sleep. I think it’s Silas Marner tonight. That’s Charlotte’s favorite.” Judy took both their arms. “You know some of the people here. There’s Adrienne and Paul Rodman, Frankie Weissman, and your friend Jil Taillou. And that’s our dear friend Dr. Arnie Berkowitz, and of course Clarice Santorini. Barry’s coming a little later. And so is Charlie Rose.”

“Sounds like a terrific group.” Charlie was hoping she’d stop chattering so he could get himself a drink. “Okay kiddo, let’s plunge in.” Charlie gave Samantha his signal for getting on with the proceeding and steered his wife toward the bar.

“You know Pippa Rose is going to cover this place with awful porcelain English pugs. Judy’s better off sticking with French Empire, or going Ottoman all the way,” Samantha whispered to Charlie as they walked into the living room. “I really should get Jil to suggest someone better than Pippa to her.”

“Why? She seems perfectly happy.” Charlie helped himself to a drink from a passing tray.

“I feel protective of her. She makes such an enormous effort.”

A waiter in a black formal uniform offered a tray of foie gras on mint pita with pomegranate molasses.

“I just can’t find any sympathy for a woman who has color-coordinated her furniture with her Degas.” Charlie passed on the hors d’oeuvres.

“What’s with you tonight, Charlie?” Samantha asked.

Jil waved at them from across the floor. Frankie followed beside him.

“What do you think of the Turkusion?” Jil asked Samantha. “Oh, if these Empire chaises could talk!”

“Nice to see you, Jil. Lovely to see you, Frankie.” Samantha gave them both a double kiss.