“Your sister also told me that Julia isn’t going to Scotland with you.”
Gabriel avoided Katherine’s peering eyes. “Julianne met with Cecilia after we returned from Edinburgh and asked if she would approve a semester abroad. Cecilia refused.”
Katherine frowned. “What was her reason?”
“She said Harvard was better than Edinburgh. She said she would look weak if she sent Julianne abroad and that the administration was already complaining about her, wondering why she hadn’t been asked to deliver the Sage Lectures.”
“Ah.” Katherine placed her china teacup and saucer on her lap. “I’m sure my recruitment to Harvard pricks pride as well. But what Cecilia doesn’t know is that Greg Matthews has been recruiting me for years. I think I surprised him when I said yes. Have you spoken with Cecilia?”
“No. Julianne didn’t want me to interfere.” Gabriel tugged at his hair in exasperation. “She’s hoping Cecilia will change her mind. She wants to broach the subject during the workshop in April.”
“Graham Todd is a first-rate scholar, so Cecilia can’t object to him on scholarly grounds. Although she could argue that the Edinburgh courses aren’t a good fit with Julia’s program.”
“She can’t argue that at the moment because Edinburgh’s fall schedule hasn’t come out yet. Graham was going to send it to Julianne.”
“Indeed.” Katherine finished her tea, staring off into space.
“What would you recommend?”
Katherine smothered a smile. “Your sister seems to think I’m Wonder Woman. I find the comparison rather amusing.
“As tempting as it may be for me to interfere, that wouldn’t be prudent. I imagine Cecilia now thinks of you, me, and Julia as a confederacy of sorts. She won’t take kindly to me sticking my nose into things.”
“Right.” Gabriel’s body deflated. “I had thought the same.”
“Greg made it perfectly clear I was being hired to supervise graduate students, which means if Cecilia drops Julianne, I’ll gladly take her on. But I can’t do so until my appointment begins.”
“Thank you.” Gabriel ran his fingers through his hair distractedly. “I know Julianne will appreciate it.”
“This should be her decision. She should decide who her supervisor is and she should decide whether she takes a semester abroad. Cecilia shouldn’t force her hand.”
Katherine paused, leaning forward in her chair. “Don Wodehouse is impressed with Julia’s mind. If she wanted to transfer to Oxford, Don would take her.”
“Oh.” Gabriel tugged at his hair. A move to Oxford might be good for Julianne, but it wouldn’t be good for their marriage. He didn’t want to commute across an ocean. He didn’t want to live apart from Clare.
“But there’s no reason for Julia to leave Harvard. Not while I’m alive and kicking.”
It was almost imperceptible, but Gabriel flinched.
Katherine waved her hand in his direction. “Go ahead. Out with it.”
“Of course Julianne would be eager to work with you. But she’s concerned about the optics if Cecilia drops her and . . .” Gabriel trailed off, looking very uncomfortable.
“And she’s terrified I’ll die in the middle of her dissertation.”
“Katherine, losing you would be a great personal loss.” Gabriel gritted his teeth. “Damn the dissertation.”
“I have no intention of dying.”
“Good, because I forbid you to die.”
Katherine’s eyes widened. “Would that it were that easy—Gabriel Emerson forbids one to die and one is therefore immortal. I don’t think the universe operates that way, although I appreciate the gesture. I had thyroid cancer. I was diagnosed and treated back in Toronto and didn’t tell anyone but Jeremy Martin. I didn’t think it was anyone’s business.” Katherine’s tone was matter-of-fact. “That was several years ago. I’m in excellent health and looking forward to moving to Harvard. I won’t last forever, but I should live long enough to supervise Julia’s dissertation.”
“I didn’t know you had cancer, Katherine. I’m so sorry.”
“I’m fine. I’m just rounder than I used to be. Obviously my weight isn’t a barrier to being Wonder Woman, so I can’t find it in me to care.”
Gabriel lowered his head and chuckled.