A Column of Fire (Kingsbridge, #3)

by Ken Follett

This was how women such as Caterina exercised power, she realized with admiration. They moved cleverly but invisibly, working behind the scenes, managing events while the men imagined they had total control.

I did not know how men could do such things, and I did not understand why God would let them.

“When a man is certain that he knows God’s will, and is resolved to do it regardless of the cost, he is the most dangerous person in the world.”

Barney gave the devil-may-care grin that broke the hearts of girls like Imke. “I don’t know,” he said. “I’ll think of something.”