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(Conference sex was a peculiar compunction of certain academics It should be avoided at all costs)

The next lecture was as torturous as the first Julia feigned interest while her thoughts fixated on one point If Gabriel had listened to her, Christa would have been forced to spin her web of slander without a large, focused audience Now Julia would have tothey’d witnessed the ein with Christa hadout, Julia would have preferred to spend the day at his side, especially during lunch and the frequent tea and coffee breaks But they’d agreed the night before to circulate a Julia the opportunity to network

She forced herself toProfessors Marinelli and Picton to introduce her to their old friends, while Gabriel led on the other side of the roo to speak to as lances Julia received, it was clear he was speaking about her

Women flocked to him No matter where he was, there were always one or to near him To his credit, he suffered their attentions patiently without encouraging them

Julia focused on her own interactions, but she couldn’t help but keep apprised of where he was situated and hom She also marked Christa’s position, but she was never far from Professor Pacciani

Julia found the fact curious

Pacciani’s eyes seemed to follow her and on one occasion, she was certain he winked But he made no attempt to approach or speak with her He seemed content to remain at Christa’s side, despite her occasionally flirtatious behavior with other men

Julia sipped her tea as she listened to professor after professor regale her with tales of their latest research projects, longing for the end of the day

During the final lecture, Gabriel noticed Julia squir so for an hour, as if she were in desperate need of the ladies’ roo his irritation with Christa for hours, fanning the embers with myriad justifications for his words and actions He was in the hteous speech that he intended to deliver to Julia when they were back at Magdalen, when she stunned hiht

I’ me

I’m sorry she mentioned Professor Pain

Gabriel reread the note twice

The sight of Julia’s contrition in black and white made his heart constrict She’d said that she was sorry, even though she’d done al

He would have appreciated more support froht about because of his strong desire to protect her But he hadn’t expected an apology

Their eyes ave him a tentative smile The smile, perhaps even more than the note, undid hiid waters of remorse

Without delay, he turned her note over and wrote,

Eive him

It took an instant for her to read it And when she did, she restrained a laugh, resulting in a strangled snort

The sound echoed around the roo hoild pig had e in order to attend his paper