Gabriel's Promise (Gabriel's Inferno 4)

“I saw his topic for the lectures.” The edges of Cecilia’s mouth turned down. “It’s interesting but too romantic. Also, metalevel readings of Dante are very common. I expected more, much more.”

Julia was stunned. Cecilia and Gabriel had always been on friendly terms. Her criticism stung.

Oblivious to her student’s reaction, Cecilia continued. “So you and Gabriel will be commuting next year while he’s in Edinburgh.”

“No,” Julia almost stuttered. “Well, that’s what I wanted to ask you about. I—”

“You can’t take another leave of absence,” Cecilia interrupted, switching to Italian. “Not after your maternity leave. You need to take courses next fall and put together your dissertation proposal.”

Julia’s gaze dropped to her boots, wondering what she had done to offend Cecilia. They’d had a warm exchange by telephone when Julia explained she was taking a maternity leave. And they’d traded equally amiable emails about Professor Wodehouse’s workshop.

Julia’s heart rate increased as she contemplated how she could smooth things over with her supervisor.

“I’ve already begun working through the reading list you gave me for my dissertation proposal,” she volunteered.

“You should also work through the reading list for Don Wodehouse’s workshop. I’ll send it to you.”

“Thank you.” Julia brightened. “I saw Professor Wodehouse in Edinburgh. His student, Graham Todd, teaches there.”

“I know Graham.” Cecilia’s frown relaxed. “And it’s good for you to get to know Don. It’s important you show everyone you’re serious about your studies and that you aren’t simply recycling Katherine Picton’s ideas. Or your husband’s.”

Julia almost choked. “Cecilia, have I done something wrong?”

“Actually, you’ve done something right. You offered a new perspective on the case of Guido da Montefeltro at the Oxford conference last year, rather than relying on the work of Katherine or Gabriel. That’s why Wodehouse noticed you. But sometimes, doing excellent work isn’t enough.” Cecilia sounded bitter.

“You have to be focused. You have to be disciplined. You’re on a fellowship in this department, which we awarded to another student while you were on leave. Now you want another leave of absence so you can go to Edinburgh? I’m sorry, but I can’t support that.”

Julia began wringing her hands. “What if I don’t take a leave of absence, but just enroll at Edinburgh for the fall semester? Graham Todd introduced me to some of the members of his department. I can find out what they’re teaching and provide you with the course descriptions to assess if the credits can transfer.”

Cecilia bristled. “Edinburgh is not the same as Harvard.”

She pointed in the direction of the office of Greg Matthews, the chair of her department. “I doubt Greg would approve of you taking your final classes at Edinburgh.”

Julia leaned forward. “Cecilia, please. Could I just find out what the courses are and show them to you?”

Cecilia measured her for a moment. “I make no promises.

“Did you know the dean called Greg at home on the day the Sage Lectures were announced, wondering why no one from this department has been a Sage Lecturer in the past fifteen years?”

Julia faltered. “I didn’t know that. I’m sorry.”

“So am I.” Cecilia’s lips twisted derisively. “Gabriel is an alumnus of this department and so the dean and the chair can claim him. Greg told me Gabriel applied for the endowed chair that Harvard gave me. Now the dean thinks Greg made a mistake.

“I earned this position.” Cecilia’s tone grew harsh. “I’m further along in my career than Gabriel and I have more publications. Now Greg is bringing Katherine into the department. Why?”

Julia took a deep breath. “I don’t know.”

“I earned my endowed chair. I left Oxford to come here. But that doesn’t count for the dean. He insists his faculty must win every award. He says Boston University is embarrassing him.”

Julia’s eyes strayed to the office door, which was partially open. This conversation had not gone as planned. Not at all.

Cecilia dropped her voice. “You are on maternity leave and you must return in the fall. How do you think it will look if the top student, my student, left for Edinburgh? At the same time I am passed over for the Sage Lectures, at the same time Katherine is invited to join my department? No. You must finish your coursework here.”

Julia felt something like despair settle in her stomach. She nodded, worried that if she opened her mouth, she’d burst into tears.

Cecilia put her glasses on again. “Katherine is in her seventies. She may choose to retire at any moment. And your life is entwined with hers enough, since she is godmother to your child. If I decide to drop you as a student . . .” Her voice trailed off.

Time seemed to slow. Julia’s chest felt constricted as she tried to draw breath. She sat quietly, wondering if she’d heard what she thought she’d heard.