By Jove by Marissa Doyle Page B

difficult.” He sat back in his chair, watching her.
    It was not like the afternoon in the museum. She was not getting giddy on magical, mystical fish flakes. But the wine was relaxing, and God knew she needed to relax a little right now. “Not entirely well. Things of a personal nature have been, er, cropping up.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that. It seemed such a good arrangement, giving Arthur a little break and you some valuable experience. Well, you know that as an enrolled student in my department, you are more important. If having Mr. Proctor here is making life distressing for you, he can be asked to leave at the semester’s end.”
    “Oh, no! I mean, it’s not like that. Not that bad,” she amended. “I’m sure we’ll work it out. Dr. Waterman says he’s quite happy with our work.”
    “So am I. But I’m also concerned for the well-being and happiness of my students. Please let me know if you need my help with Mr. Proctor, and I shall be more than happy to give it to you, my dear.”
    “Thank you,” Theo almost whispered, a lump rising in her throat. She had been wrong about Julian. It was comforting to know that he was looking out for her, ready to protect her if she needed it. The turquoise eyes regarded her steadily. She looked into them and said again, “Thank you.”
    “You’re more than welcome, Theodora. Now, onto to happier topics.” He leaned over to refill her glass. “You received your invitation to the symposium?”
    “Yes, just now. Thank you very much. I’m looking forward to it.”
    “Excelle—just now? You just got it today?” He frowned.
    “Um, yes. Ms. Cadwallader just gave it to me.” Theo did not add that the secretary had looked as if she would rather have stuffed it up Theo’s nose than hand it to her.
    “I see.” He was still frowning. “You should have received it days ago. We try to give firstcomers plenty of notice to get ready. June sometimes—but never mind that. This doesn’t give you much time to prepare appropriate garb. It’s all quite silly, but we do like to ‘do it proper’, as it were. Morale-building for the department, I suppose.”
    “Don’t worry. I’m sure my mother can help me with something. She’s made my father several costumes for his Classical Club events.”
    “Has she? I’m sure you’ll outshine us all, then. Tell me about your father. Ancient languages are an unusual hobby in this day and age.”
    He kept her talking, quietly refilling her glass, nodding and asking more questions about her family. One part of her watched this with misgiving. Why all this interest in her personal life? Was he going to start acting creepy, the way he had back in September? But the rest of her was flattered by his interest.
    She didn’t know how much later it was when he glanced at his watch and said, “Oh, no. I’m keeping you from your dinner. Well, we must do this again, Theodora. I haven’t had such pleasant conversation in a long time.”
    Theo rose. The wine seemed to surge into her head like a fountain, sparkling yet enervating, making her sway slightly. She remembered the glass in her hand and held it out to him. “Thank you very much,” she managed to say.
    He leaned forward, hand extended to take the glass from her. He seemed taller and broader all of a sudden, making her feel small and vulnerable. An image streaked across her mind, of a corona-ed figure reaching out to a reclining woman . That lapis seal in the museum—but then her head cleared. Julian was standing where he had been, looking like his usual self, setting her glass down. He came around the desk, smiling his usual charming smile.
    “Good night, Theodora,” he said at the door.
    “Good night, Julian,” she replied, and left.
    …
    As she walked carefully down the stairs, Theo avoided looking at Octavian’s bust when she came to the landing. Julian had been right; she had needed to step away from Grant for a minute. She felt better now. Far better than she had when