Elizabeth studied the blurry tabloid photo, which showed her cousin Mary Stuart leaving a Paris disco at dawn, drunkenly clinging to the arm of a French tennis pro. The message was very clear. Put passion first and you end up neither loved nor respected.

Always present yourself as a woman who expects to succeed.

Even the most powerful woman needs a place to unwind.

A person with taste is merely one who can recognize the greatest beauty in the simplest things.

In my opinion, moderation is a vastly overrated virtue, particularly when applied to work

If anyone asks me whether I like being a popular writer, I ask them whether they think I'd rather be an unpopular writer.

Elizabeth was counting on Marco to keep cousin Mary occupied until after the board meeting was over. A piece of cheese might catch a mouse, but an afternoon alone with a muscular masseur would ensnare her cousin far more effectively. And afterwards, while Mary lay sated and sleeping upon a massage table, wiser heads could determine the company's future. There were times, Elizabeth thought, when success in business demanded utter ruthlessness.