Gabriel's Promise (Gabriel's Inferno) Read online

  Julia’s eyes flew open. She stared at him in shock.

  Gabriel scratched at his chin.

  Julia stood. “I didn’t want to take a maternity leave in the first place. I can’t take another leave of absence, especially if I attend the workshop at Oxford this coming April; I’ll never finish my program.”

  “Your advisor is the one who suggested the maternity leave.” Gabriel adjusted his glasses.

  “I don’t think she envisioned me taking almost two years off.”

  Gabriel studied his wife. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I can’t just say no. It would be like turning down the Nobel Prize.”

  “I know the significance of the Sage Lectures.” Julia’s tone grew steely. “It’s an incredible honor. But I can’t just say no to Harvard again, not after how hard I’ve worked.”

  He held up his hands. “I’m not going without you and Clare.”

  “Then you’re declining the invitation?”

  “Of course not.” He sounded impatient.

  “Then what are you going to do?” Julia’s hands went to her hips.

  “There has to be a way for me to accept the invitation and for you to come with me.” He passed a hand over his mouth. “I thought you’d be happy for me.”

  “I am.” She heaved a great sigh and her hands fell away from her hips. “But I don’t want to be a single parent for that long, Gabriel. I can’t do this alone.”

  Gabriel removed his glasses. He looked very, very determined.

  But instead of arguing with her, he did something most unexpected. “The email I received instructed me to keep the invitation confidential. I’m not going to do that.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because we need some advice. Katherine was the Sage Lecturer once, twenty years ago. I’m going to call her.” Gabriel pulled his wife into his arms and hugged her. “We’ll find a way.”

  Julia returned her husband’s embrace, wishing she shared her husband’s optimism. But she didn’t.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Later that morning

  Assistant Professor Paul V. Norris sat in his office at Saint Michael’s College in Vermont, staring at his computer screen.

  He was already a few weeks into his first academic job. And he was working hard—preparing lessons, attending new faculty orientation meetings, and trying to figure out where the land mines were located in the Department of English and how he could avoid them. But the email he had just received made everything else seem irrelevant.

  “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” he quoted to himself.

  There, in his Saint Michael’s inbox, was an email from Professor Wodehouse of Magdalen College. Among the short list of email recipients, he spied a certain Julia Emerson. But thankfully, no Gabriel Emerson.

  Studentfucker.

  Paul winced. He didn’t like thinking of Emerson and the beautiful former Miss Mitchell together in any capacity. And certainly not like that.

  He knew they were married. He knew they’d just had a daughter. The night before, Julia had sent a mass email announcing the birth of Clare and sharing a photograph.

  The photo was only of Clare. Even to Paul’s eyes the infant was beautiful. She had wisps of dark hair peeking out from underneath a purple knitted cap. But he’d wished Julia had sent a photo of herself.

  He wondered if she’d attend the Dante workshop in April. He wondered if he should email her to find out before making his own decision.

  “Hi, Paul.”

  Paul heard a female voice over his shoulder. He turned in his chair and saw Elizabeth, one of the new faculty in Religious Studies, standing at the threshold to his office.

  Elizabeth was gorgeous. She had bobbed, curly dark hair, dark eyes, and unblemished brown skin. She was Cuban American and hailed from Brooklyn.

  Paul had already discovered that Elizabeth liked to play Cuban music in her office. Loudly.

  She gave him a wide smile and adjusted her rectangular glasses. “I’m going for coffee. Do you want to come with?”

  “Um . . .” Paul rubbed his chin. He cast a conflicted look at his computer screen.

  “Are you okay?” Elizabeth hovered in the doorway. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  “Sort of.” He sighed and looked up at the ceiling. Of course he wanted to see Julia. That was the problem. He’d finally moved on from her and started dating Allison, his ex-girlfriend, once more. And now this . . .

  “Maybe I should bring you a coffee.” Elizabeth interrupted his musings. “What do you take in it?”

  “I take my coffee black—like death.” He stood, bringing his six-foot-three frame to its full height. He towered over Elizabeth’s waifish five-foot-three frame.

  She stood in the doorway, watching him.

  He closed his laptop and grabbed his keys. “Coffee is on me. I’ve just been invited to a workshop in Oxford.”

  “That’s great.” Elizabeth clapped her hands in excitement.

  It had been a long time since someone had applauded for Paul. He couldn’t help but notice.

  He pulled self-consciously on the front of his shirt. “The workshop is in April, in the middle of our semester. The powers that be won’t let me go.”

  Elizabeth gave him a puzzled look. “Of course they’ll let you go. It’s Oxford. It’s good press for the college.”

  She gestured to the hall. “While you’re buying my coffee, we can put together a campaign strategy. I have some ideas.”

  Paul surveyed her enthusiasm and found himself returning her smile. He followed her into the hall.

  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 othe
r, 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.”

  “What about Harvard?” Gabriel interjected. “There’s no guarantee Edinburgh will offer the courses Julia needs in the fall semester.”

  “We need to look into it. And we’d need to make the case to Cecilia and Greg that this opportunity will be worth it. But here’s something you must remember.” At this, Katherine leaned forward and lowered her voice. “You cannot underestimate the vanity and ego of certain institutions. Harvard will no doubt make much of your appointment as Sage Lecturer, Gabriel. You’d be their most distinguished alumnus in the humanities in the past twenty years. It’s in their interest to support you and Julia.

  “And, Julia, your involvement with Don Wodehouse’s workshop and the opportunity to study abroad at Edinburgh will certainly set you apart from other doctoral students. Harvard wants its students to enjoy an international reputation.” Katherine’s eyes gleamed. “I’m itching to walk into Greg Matthews’s office and take credit for the idea, but I won’t. You should speak to Cecilia first.”

  “Edinburgh instructed me to keep the invitation secret,” Gabriel explained.

  Katherine sipped her tea contemplatively. “I see the point. My advice is to accept Edinburgh’s invitation. Once you’re announced as Sage Lecturer, Harvard should fall into line.”

  Julia looked over at her husband. “If we could work things out with my supervisor . . .” She wore a hopeful expression.

  “Then we’ll all move to Edinburgh together.” He pressed his lips to Julia’s cheek.

  “Now that’s settled, I have a gift for the baby.” Katherine retrieved a large gift bag she’d placed on the floor next to the couch. She handed the bag to Julia.

  Julia was surprised by the weight of it. The bag was much heavier than it looked.

  “Open it,” Katherine commanded.

  “You’ve already given us so much,” Gabriel protested.

  She waved a wrinkled hand. “Let me be the judge of that.”

  “But we also came here to ask you something.” Julia prompted Gabriel with a nudge of her elbow.

  Gabriel leaned forward. “Katherine, Julianne and I would like to ask you to be Clare’s godmother.”

  “Yes,” Professor Picton responded without hesitation. So quickly, Julia barely had time to look from Gabriel to Katherine.

  “You don’t want to think about it?” Gabriel regarded his elderly colleague with amusement.

  “No. I should like nothing more, as long as we won’t be treading on anyone else’s toes.” Katherine gazed down at the baby and adjusted the blanket once again.

  “Then we’re agreed. Thank you, Katherine.” Gabriel squeezed Julia’s shoulders.

  “I’m the one who should be thankful—to be the godmother to a child born of two extraordinary people. I expect great things from you, Gabriel.

  “And you, Julianne. Only twenty-six years old and already making a name for yourself. Don Wodehouse mentioned your paper as the motivation behind his workshop on Ulysses and Guido. You challenged his reading of the Guido case and he’s still pondering it.” She smiled. “Few people have ever successfully challenged him. He’s notoriously obstinate.”

  Julia’s cheeks grew rosy. “Thank you.”

  “It’s time to open the gift. Go on, now. I’m aging as we sit here.” Katherine nodded at Julia.

  Carefully, Julia removed a brightly wrapped present from the bag. She unfastened the ribbons and slid her finger beneath the taped edges of the paper. Beneath it was a carved wooden box.

  Julia placed the box on the coffee table. When she lifted the lid, she gasped.

  Gabriel gave Katherine an incredulous look.

  “Pick it up and look at it.” She chuckled merrily.

  Gabriel gently lifted the worn leather cover of the object.

  Reading the title page and the following incipit, he sat motionless. Amazed.

  “As you can see, it’s a fifteenth-century manuscript of La Vita Nuova,” Katherine announced. “It also includes some of the minor poetic works. It’s a copy of one of Simone Serdini’s manuscripts.”

  Gabriel leafed through it in wonder. “However did you get this?”

  Katherine’s smile faded. “Old Hut.”

  Julia watched as Katherine’s happiness was replaced by a look of regret. She’d loved Professor Hutton, her supervisor at Oxford, but he had been married. As Katherine had admitted once to Julia, he had been the love of her life.

  Her expression brightened. “Old Hut found it in a bookstore in Oxford, years ago.”

  “Really?” Gabriel’s eyebrows lifted.

  “It was a remarkable find. He had it authenticated by a private museum in Switzerland that owned other, similar manuscripts.”

  Gabriel cleared his throat. “Do you remember the name of the
museum?”

  “The Cassirer Foundation Museum. Near Geneva.”

  A look passed between Gabriel and Julia.

  Katherine continued. “The manuscript belonged to Galeazzo Malatesta. Galeazzo was married to Battista da Montefeltro. Her great-great-grandfather, Federico I, took over Urbino after Guido’s death.”

  Julia reached for the manuscript but stopped short of touching it. “I can’t believe it.”

  “Battista joined the Franciscan sisters after her husband died. She was a remarkable scholar in her own right and the grandmother of Costanza Varano, who was one of the most revered women in the midfifteenth century.” Katherine nodded at Julia. “Your interest in Guido and the Franciscans persuaded me that this manuscript belonged in your home. This is a gift for my goddaughter, but I don’t mind if her parents read it.”

  Katherine laughed at her own joke and sat back, taking great pleasure in watching Julia and Gabriel fawn over the gift. “There’s some interesting marginalia and a few illuminations. You may find something relevant to your research, Julia.”

  “Thank you.” Julia stood and hugged Katherine.

  Gabriel repeated the gesture.

  “Not bad for an old spinster.” Katherine’s voice was gruff. She tried to hide her sniffling by pushing the Emersons aside and pointing out some of the interesting features of the manuscript.

  Julia and Gabriel pretended not to notice the sudden wetness on her cheeks.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The sound of a baby’s cries split the night.

  Julia groaned and reached for her phone. It was amazing how Clare had adjusted to the feeding schedule. She was right on time, her cries of hunger anticipating Julia’s alarm by only a few minutes.

  Julia switched the alarm off and closed her eyes, just for a moment.

  Gabriel was asleep next to her, his face half-buried in a pillow, his arm slung over her abdomen. In fact, he was snoring—the obnoxious sound fortuitously muffled by the pillow.

  He’d had a busy day. He’d responded to the University of Edinburgh, accepting the position of Sage Lecturer. They’d cautioned him to keep news of his appointment secret from everyone except his employer until the formal announcement and gala, which they wanted to schedule as soon as possible.