Gabriel's Promise (Gabriel's Inferno #4)(88)

“Great. Thank you.” Paul pointed in the direction of the library. “I need to look up a few things before tomorrow’s seminar. And then I guess I need to change. I’ll meet you at All Souls tonight.”

Gabriel nodded formally.

“Thanks, Paul.” Julia gave him an appreciative smile before he departed in the direction of the Magdalen library.

“And thank you.” She hugged her husband once again. “Thank you for being nice to him. He’s been supportive of me all week. I was so grateful he was here, especially since Cecilia has been giving me the cold shoulder.”

“Something has changed in Paul.” Gabriel gazed into the distance. “He relates to you differently.”

Julia shut her eyes and opened them. “I can’t imagine how you could tell such a thing within a few seconds of seeing him.”

“Call it a husband’s instinct.” Gabriel focused on his wife. “What is happening with Cecilia?”

Julia scratched the back of her neck. “I went to see Cecilia a little while ago. I ran into Paul after I left her office.”

Gabriel pulled Julia’s hand away from her neck and held it. “What did she say?”

“She said what she said before—she won’t approve a semester abroad.”

Gabriel pressed his lips together. “And what did you say?”

“You’d be proud of me. I told her I was switching supervisors.”

“I am always proud of you.” Gabriel’s eyes met hers. “But are you sure you want to do that?”

“Absolutely.” Julia leaned closer. “She was spiteful. Spiteful and vindictive. I wasn’t even going to tell her who I was going to work with. I simply thanked her and tried to leave, but she pressed me for details. When I told her I was going to work with Katherine, she said she wouldn’t serve as a reader on my dissertation committee. And she said she wouldn’t write a letter for me for the job market.”

“That’s absurd!” Gabriel sputtered. “You’ve been working with her for over two years. She should give you a letter on those grounds alone.”

“She won’t.” Julia’s spine straightened and her eyes flashed. “That’s when I knew I was making the right choice, not just for you and me, but for my career. I don’t want to work with someone like that. I don’t want to have to walk on eggshells for fear she’ll drop me at any moment. Katherine would never do that.”

Gabriel tugged Julia into his arms, burying his face in his neck. “So you’re coming with me to Edinburgh?”

“Yes. I need to call Greg Matthews and explain the situation to him. I’ll update Katherine over dinner.”

Gabriel’s arms tensed around Julia’s back. “I’m furious with Cecilia. Are you sure you don’t want me to talk to her?”

“No, I handled it. Even if Cecilia hadn’t been spiteful, I wasn’t going to allow her to keep us apart. I just wanted to give her a chance to do the right thing.”

“Patience is one of your greatest faults.”

“I thought patience was a virtue.”

He pulled back to make eye contact. “In my case, definitely. In your case, not even close.”

Julia laughed.

“The University of Edinburgh has offered us a row house on Drummond Street, near Old College,” Gabriel announced enthusiastically. “There’s a brilliant coffee shop on the corner, and good sidewalks for the stroller.”

“We’ll have to childproof it. Clare will be walking by then.”

“Really?” Gabriel ran his fingers through his hair. “So soon? That’s marvelous. We’ll be able to explore the city together and the rest of Scotland as well.”

“I think you’re going to be busy being the lecturer in residence. And I’ll be taking courses, and serving as Graham Todd’s teaching assistant, if he’ll still have me.”

“He’d be fortunate to have you. We’ll travel on weekends. And holidays.” He picked her up and lifted her toward the ceiling.

“Put me down!” Julia shrieked, clutching his shoulders. “Professor Wodehouse will see us and kick us out.”

“I doubt it. I’m sure Don has twirled pretty girls in the Cloisters a time or two in his past.” Gabriel’s laughter matched her own.

Clare made noises in her stroller, demanding attention.

“Hi, Clare.” Julia waved at her. “Mommy and Daddy are talking right now.

“What about our house in Cambridge?” Julia asked, when her feet were finally on the floor. “What about Rebecca?”

“I’m hoping Rebecca will come with us because we’ll need the help,” Gabriel said firmly. “What would you think about having Rachel and Aaron house-sit while we’re away? They can keep an eye on the house and it will save them rent.”

“I think that’s a great idea.” Julia closed her eyes, momentarily distracted by all the things she was going to have to do in order to prepare to move to Scotland.

Gabriel caught her hand once again. He thumbed her wedding band. “I’m so grateful we will embark on this journey together. I know we’ll be busy and I know it will be an adjustment. But I think living in Edinburgh will be an adventure.” His blue eyes shone.