“You’ve provided an interpretation that’s certainly as good a theory as any, and better than those accounts that would attribute ignorance or injustice to Francis. But let’s be clear. It’s speculation.”
“Yes, it is.” Julia’s voice was low but determined. “I’d welcome suggestions of alternative interpretations.”
Professor Wodehouse shrugged. “Who knows why Francis did anything? Perhaps he was supposed to meet another soul in Assisi and was merely waylaid by an opportunistic fraud.”
At this, the audience laughed.
“I do, however, have a question.” He replaced his glasses on his face and looked down at his notes. “I’d like you to say more about the agreement that existed between Boniface and Guido. You rather glossed over that part in your paper, and I think the matter merits more attention.”
And with that, he sat down.
Julia nodded, frantically trying to gather her thoughts.
“My thesis was on the interpretation of Francis’s appearance, not Guido’s sin. Nevertheless, I’m happy to expand on that part of the paper.”
Julia began a short but fluid summary of Guido’s encounter with Pope Boniface VIII and its aftermath, which seemed to satisfy the professor. However, she mentally made note of the fact that he’d thought her paper lacking in that respect. She’d attend to his worry in her revision of the paper for potential publication.
A few more questions were asked and answered, and then the moderator thanked Julia. A round of applause that bordered on the enthusiastic filled the room, and Julia noticed several older professors nodding at her.
When the moderator invited everyone to pause for tea and coffee, Julia watched in surprise as Professor Pacciani took Christa by the hand and led her away.
Julia walked over to Gabriel, eagerly searching his face.
He smiled and linked their pinky fingers surreptitiously.
“That’s my smart girl,” he whispered.
Chapter Sixteen
Julia made the rounds during the coffee break, speaking to Professor Wodehouse and others about her paper. It was almost universally acknowledged that her research was very good and that she’d handled the questions admirably. In fact, more than one conferencegoer remarked that they were surprised she was only a graduate student and not a junior professor.
While his wife enjoyed her academic triumph, Gabriel strolled outside, sipping his coffee in the Oxford sunshine.
He was grateful for the fine weather and lack of rain. He was also grateful that Julia’s presentation had gone so well. Yes, she’d appeared nervous, and as always, there was room for improvement. But given her status as a doctoral freshman, many of the attendees had been duly impressed. He silently offered a prayer of thanks.
Midprayer, Paul Norris approached him, his hands jammed into his pockets.
They made patient, polite small talk at first. Then Gabriel noticed that Paul was regarding him with something akin to agitation.
“Is there a problem?” Gabriel’s voice was deceptively soft. Soft like Scotch.
“No.” Paul removed his hands from his pockets. He was about to reenter the college when he stopped.
“Fuck it,” he muttered.
He squared his shoulders, facing his former dissertation director.
“Professor Picton would like you to be an external reader on my dissertation.”
Gabriel regarded Paul coolly. “Yes, she mentioned that.”
Paul waited for the Professor to continue, but he didn’t.
“Uh, is that something you’d consider?”
Gabriel rocked back on his heels. “I’ll consider it. Your dissertation topic is good and I was satisfied with the work that you did for me. I passed you to Katherine for personal reasons, otherwise, I’d still be directing your dissertation.”
Paul looked away uncomfortably.
“Julia did well.” He changed the subject.
“Yes, she did.”
“She even handled Christa.”
Gabriel’s face wore a look of pride. “Julianne is a remarkable woman. She’s much stronger than she looks.”
“I know.” Paul’s eyes hardened into what could have been a glare.
“You seemed to have a lot to say to and about my wife.” Gabriel’s tone grew progressively cooler.
“What are you doing to put a stop to the rumors? I was out at UCLA in March and people were talking about how Julia boinked you in order to graduate and get into Harvard.”
A muscle jumped in Gabriel’s jaw.
“Those rumors are the fruits of Miss Peterson’s poisonous tree. She will be dealt with, I assure you.”
“Well, you need to step it up.”
Gabriel’s eyes narrowed. “What was that?”
Paul shifted his weight, but he would not be deterred.
“When I arrived yesterday, I overheard a couple of the old folks talking about Julia. They assumed she was a bimbo and that’s why she was on the program.”
“I think it’s safe to say she proved them wrong. Julianne’s paper was well presented and well received. There’s also the little matter that rather than simply boinking her”—at this, Gabriel waved his hand distastefully—“I married her.”
“She may be your wife, but you don’t deserve her.”
Gabriel took a menacing step closer.