Gabriel's Redemption (Gabriel's Inferno Trilogy) by Sylvain Reynard Page B

interrupted.
    “I’m old, I can behave how I wish. But you cannot be Julianne’s champion at academic conferences. If you rise to her defense, you’ll make her look weak.”
    Gabriel folded his napkin and placed it on the table. “The incident this morning with Christa Peterson was anomalous. She tried to destroy our careers.”
    “Just so. But even in that case, I’m afraid you did more harm than good.”
    Gabriel frowned, and Katherine decided to change tactics.
    “We’ve been good friends, you and I. I’d like to think that if I’d had a son, he would be your equal in intelligence and talent.”
    His expression softened. “Thank you, Katherine. Your friendship is important to me.”
    “I’ve given Julianne some advice. No doubt she’ll tell you all about our conversation. But before she returns, I’d ask that you consider what I’ve just said. She’s a nice young woman and very bright. Let her brightness shine.”
    “That’s all I want.” He looked down at his hands. His eyes were drawn to the way the light caught on his wedding band, and he found himself staring at it.
    “Good.” Katherine tapped her finger on the table, as if to signal that the matter had been decided. “Now, I hope I’ll be invited to dinner at your house when I give my lecture series at Harvard in January. Greg Matthews always takes me to these appalling molecular gastronomy restaurants that serve you deconstructed entrées cooked in liquid nitrogen. I can never decide whether I’m having dinner or sitting for an exam in organic chemistry.”

    After dinner, Gabriel insisted that they escort Katherine to her residence at All Souls, where they bade one another good night and agreed to meet for breakfast the following morning.
    “Eight thirty, sharp.” Katherine tapped her wristwatch. “Don’t be late.”
    “We wouldn’t dream of it.” Gabriel bowed.
    “See that you don’t.” With a wave, she disappeared behind the great wooden door of the college, which closed behind her.
    Left standing together, Gabriel took Julia’s hand, noticing that her fingers had grown cold. He tried to warm them, touching her wedding band and engagement ring.
    “I know that you’re tired,” he said. “But I want to show you something. It will just take a minute.”
    He led her around the corner to Radcliffe Camera, a great, circular building that had become an icon of the university. The sky was dark, moonless, but a few lights illuminated the impressive structure.
    He squeezed her hand as they approached. “I used to spend a lot of time walking around this building. I’ve always admired it.”
    “It’s fantastic.”
    Julia eagerly perused the architecture and its interplay of stone and dome and pillar. The sky was the color of ink, and the dome almost seemed to glow against its backdrop.
    Gabriel brought his hands to cup her cheeks. “I want to speak to you about what happened this morning.”
    He felt her tense beneath his touch. His eyes sought hers and he moved his thumbs gently across her cheekbones. “I’m sorry for embarrassing you.”
    “I know it was difficult for you to walk away from her at first. But you did. And I’m grateful for that.” Her dark eyes glinted. “You still like to fight.”
    Gabriel took her hands in his and pulled them into his chest.
    “I like to fight with people other than you. Christa is a bully. The only way to deal with bullies is to confront them.”
    Julia lifted her chin. “Sometimes, you should let the nastiness speak for itself. Or at least, let her target decide for herself what’s to be done.”
    “I can do that. At least, I can try.”
    “That’s all I ask.” Julia brushed her lips against his. “I’m sorry she brought up Professor Pain. I had no idea they knew each other.”
    Gabriel closed his eyes. When he opened them, they were pained.
    “I confessed my past. I left it behind. Must I be reminded of it forever?”
    “I’m sorry.” She wrapped her arms around his back,