Gabriel’s Inferno Trilogy by Sylvain Reynard Page 0,556

old maid, but I know you won’t be able to do justice to your program, or your newborn, if you don’t take a maternity leave. You are allowed one. You should take it.”

“Won’t the department frown on it?”

“Some of the old fossils might, but if you have the support of your supervisor, what does it matter? My advice is to speak to Cecilia and ask for her advice. She’ll know best how to guide you. Don’t let the misogynists drive you into an impossible situation.”

Katherine tapped her chin thoughtfully. “I’m always eager to fight injustice. Let them try to injure you. In fact, I have half a mind to accept Greg Matthews’s offer to join his department just to ensure that they don’t.”

Julia’s jaw dropped. “You’d consider that?”

“I’ve decided to sell my house and leave Toronto. All Souls is eager to have me join them in Oxford on a more permanent basis, but the truth is there are only a few fellows in that college that I can tolerate. It’s making my meals in college most unpleasant.”

“It would be wonderful to have you at Harvard.”

“I’m beginning to think so, too.” Katherine’s eyes shone. “This is where all the action is. Greg promised me he’d move my library personally. I want to accept his offer simply to see him hand-packing my books.”

Julia laughed at the thought of Professor Matthews, who was very distinguished, moving Professor Picton’s extensive private library by hand.

“I’m happy you and Gabriel are having a baby. Whether I move to Harvard or not, I’m hoping you’ll let me be the aged, eccentric godmother who purchases outrageous gifts and feeds the child things that aren’t good for him.”

“I’d like nothing more.” Julia squeezed Katherine’s hand just as Gabriel returned with coffee.

He glanced between the two women. “What’s going on?”

Katherine lifted her wine glass, saluting him. “I was just telling Julianne that I accept the distinguished appointment as your baby’s godmother.”

Just before bed, Julia asked Gabriel about his conversation with Professor Martin.

Gabriel stared up at the ceiling.

“It went better than expected, but I doubt he’ll ever forgive me.”

Julia rested her head on his chest. “I’m sorry.”

“He thinks I stabbed him and the entire department in the back. Although the fact that I married you seems to have ameliorated his low opinion of me. Perhaps once he learns we’re pregnant, his anger will cool a little more.”

“How do you feel about him?”

Gabriel shrugged. “He was a friend. I’m sorry we had a falling out, but I’m not sorry for what I did. I’d do it again.”

Julia sighed. “Well, the day wasn’t a total loss. I enjoyed watching my fellow graduate students react to your arrival.”

Gabriel’s lips twitched. “Oh, really? And how did they react?”

Julia rolled onto her stomach. “Like they’d never seen a hot professor before. You made quite an impression in your turtleneck.”

“Ah, yes, the turtleneck. Turtles have that effect on people.”

“It’s the man they were admiring. And I was proud to be with you.” She laced the edges of the sheet between her fingers. “But there are still rumors going around.”

“Oh, really?” Gabriel lifted her chin so he could make eye contact.

“Zsuzsa told me that some of the grad students have been saying that you got me into the program.”

“Bastards,” Gabriel spat. “This is Christa’s fault.”

“Not entirely. We made our choices and we have to live with them.”

“The reality of what happened and what they’re saying is poles apart.”

“That’s true. But you’ll be interested to know that now they’re gossiping about Christa.”

Gabriel gazed at her with cautious interest. “Christa? Why?”

“Sean, one of the PhD students in my department, has a friend at Columbia. He said that the department forced Christa out. None of the faculty would agree to supervise her.”

Gabriel’s eyebrows lifted. “Really? When I was in New York, Lucia mentioned that Katherine complained about Christa’s behavior in Oxford. But I doubt her dismissal had anything to do with us. Lucia also said that her work wasn’t very good.”

“It’s possible she didn’t get along with the Dante specialists in that department. They can be mercurial.” Julia winked at her husband slyly.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Gabriel sniffed.

“Sean said that Christa is on her way to do her PhD in Geneva.”

“Geneva doesn’t have its own doctoral program in Italian. They’re part of a consortium.”

“That’s where she’s headed, if the rumors are to be believed.”

Gabriel shook his head. “If she’d just focused on her work at Toronto and not become fixated on me, she’d probably still be there.