Possible Clues:

• Ceremonial elegance and splendour
• Social distinction of Liberal entertained by English queen, perhaps
• Ostentation came at first in story read the other way
• Notable brilliance
• Lie around snorting cocaine in ostentatious display
• Sparkling success
• Style of note female swapped with Charlie
• Striking success story about storing carbon
• Striking effect of chapter in story recalled
• Style, flamboyance