(No, he hadn’t wrapped the gifts himself. He’d done what every self-respecting husband did at Christmas; he’d had the associates at the various stores wrap gifts for him.)
Now he was lighting a fire in the fireplace.
“I thought Father Christmas wore red.”
Gabriel cursed, his hand clutching his heart.
A warmhearted chuckle emanated from the armchair near the window. A wrinkled hand reached out and switched on a nearby lamp. “Happy Christmas.”
“Happy Christmas, Katherine.” Gabriel drew a deep breath as his heart began beating normally. She’d given him quite a shock and ever since the break-in, he’d found himself jumpier than usual.
He gazed down at the pajamas that Julianne had gifted him the night before—green tartan flannel with images of moose imposed on them. “Father Christmas is an environmentalist this year and paying tribute to the moose population.”
“I didn’t mean to startle you. I’m still on Oxford time and have been awake for hours. I took the liberty of assembling an English baked omelet for everyone. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.”
“I left out the tomatoes because some people don’t like them.” She refilled her china teacup from the teapot next to her. “I’m grateful you allowed me to invite myself for Christmas. I’ve grown tired of my extended family and their shenanigans. Did you know my cousin rang me back in November to say they were having a vegan Christmas dinner? I tend toward vegetarianism but even for me, that was a bridge too far. I knew you’d have the good sense to serve something other than Tofurkey.”
“Ah, yes. Julianne and Rachel are cooking a genuine turkey.”
“Excellent.” Katherine pursed her lips. “I had an interesting conversation with your sister on the way from the airport.”
“Oh?” Gabriel sat near the fire and leaned forward, resting his forearms over his knees.
“Yes, oh. What’s this about your house being robbed?” Katherine’s blue-gray eyes pierced Gabriel’s.
“An intruder disabled our house alarm and broke in. He didn’t take anything, but we surprised him and chased him from the house.”
“It’s a wonder you weren’t hurt! Thank goodness. And Julia and Clare are all right?”
“Yes. We’re having the security system upgraded and decided not to return to the house for a while, in case the thief comes back.”
Katherine clucked her tongue. “That’s terrible.”
“Yes.” Gabriel rubbed the back of his neck.
“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.”