Gabriel's Promise (Gabriel's Inferno #4)(21)

Chapter Sixteen


Gabriel cannot decline the Sage Lectures.” Professor Katherine Picton, currently of All Souls College, Oxford, lifted the elegant china teapot from its silver tray. She served Julia and Gabriel before serving herself.

The trio were seated next to a roaring fire in the lobby of the Lenox Hotel. The Lenox was one of Gabriel’s favorite hotels in the region, and Katherine shared his opinion.

She added a slice of lemon to her Darjeeling and sipped. Tea was the sustenance of the British Empire and made the entire world England, including the Back Bay area. And it was, she thought, not only a civilized beverage, but a fortifying one.

She gestured to the plates that were spread across the low table. “Please enjoy a scone. They’re excellent.”

Julia and Gabriel exchanged a look. They did as they were told.

Clare was sleeping peacefully in her car seat on the couch next to Katherine. She’d insisted the baby be placed next to her. “The Sage Lectures are a feather in your cap, Gabriel. They will launch you to greater opportunities. I can’t imagine you’d want to be at Boston University forever?”

Julia gaped.

Gabriel looked down at this tea. “The cross-appointment between Romance Studies and Religion isn’t ideal.”

“Of course not.” Katherine put her tea aside and briskly buttered a scone before adding strawberry jam. “On the other hand, Julia, you can’t keep delaying your doctoral program forever. You need to get on with it.”

Julia closed her mouth.

“I take it you two have come to ask for advice?” Katherine probed. “I shouldn’t want to presume.”

“We’d be grateful for any suggestions you might have. Of course, we will need to talk further.” Gabriel gave an encouraging smile to Julianne, then regarded Katherine.

Seeking advice from Professor Picton was a tricky business. (It was, perhaps, like seeking advice from the queen of England. If one didn’t follow the advice offered, Katherine would not be amused.)

“You could ask the University of Edinburgh to delay your appointment, so that Julia can complete her coursework and pass her examinations. Then you can all go together.” With one hand, Katherine balanced her plate, and with the other, she adjusted the blanket around the sleeping baby. She gave a small nod of satisfaction to the infant.

“That’s a good idea.” Julia sounded relieved.

“But I advise against it.” Katherine tasted her scone again.

“Why?” Julia persisted.

“The world of academia is notoriously small. It’s also petty.” Katherine focused her shrewd gaze on Gabriel. “If the University of Edinburgh feels slighted, they’ll withdraw their invitation altogether and, further, word will get out that you’re difficult. I’m sorry to mention it, but there remains the circumstances surrounding your departure from the University of Toronto.”

“It’s no one’s business,” Gabriel gritted out. “Besides, Julianne and I are married now.”

“I’m not defending the old windbags, Gabriel, I’m simply telling you how things are. You’re a white male, which means the patriarchy of academia is slanted in your favor. But it also means the University Court at Edinburgh will not be impressed with your desire to sacrifice their prestigious invitation in order to stay at home in America with your wife and child.”

Gabriel had just taken a sip of tea. It went down the wrong way and he began to sputter.

“Good gracious.” Katherine peered over at him. “Are you all right?”

Gabriel nodded, lifting his linen napkin from his knee and dabbing his face. When he had composed himself, he spoke, “That’s outrageous. Being with Julianne and Clare is my first priority. Do they believe I would just throw away this opportunity for nothing?”

“That is what they will hear. They will decide you aren’t serious, or they’ll dismiss you as a millennial, or whatnot.”

Gabriel nearly swallowed his tongue. “I’m not a millennial. I’m too old to be a millennial.”

Julia gave him a hard look, feeling remarkably conspicuous.

“Optics matter, and to deny that is foolish.” Katherine’s demeanor was implacable. She lifted her chin at Julia. “Not that there is anything wrong with being a millennial, provided one has intestinal fortitude and a good work ethic, as you do.”

Julia was hardly mollified.

Gabriel put his tea aside. “What do you suggest?”

“Harvard is the path of least resistance. Julia has the support of Cecilia and I will ensure she has the support of her chair, Greg Matthews.” Katherine’s eyes twinkled. “You have my support as well, Julia, since I will be joining your department next year.”

“I don’t understand.” Julia tried to look anything other than fearful.

“You need to take your coursework in the fall, and write your area exams in the winter. My recommendation is that we arrange for you to take your coursework at Edinburgh in the fall and write your area exams after the Sage Lectures in the winter.”

The Emersons exchanged a look.

“Would that work?” Julia sounded dubious.

“It’s worth a try.” Katherine drank her tea. “I know the Dante specialist at Edinburgh. He studied with Don Wodehouse. Coincidentally, he’ll be attending the workshop Don has organized at Magdalen in April.”