By Jove Read Online Free Page A

visiting fellowship. I’m looking forward to working with my new colleagues.” He smiled at Theo. She felt her heart beat faster. Did he—could it be that he—that he liked her better than this elegant beauty?
    Renee caught the smile and frowned. She moved closer to her husband and took his arm. “Dear Henry. Do you remember, uh, Mr. Proctor?”
    Dr. Forge-Smythe peered at him uncertainly. “Hmm? No, can’t say I do. Pleased to meet you, though. And you are?” he continued, turning to Theo.
    “Theodora Fairchild. I’m pleased to meet you, Dr. Forge-Smythe.”
    “Ah, yes. You’re in my pre-Roman class. Arthur’s spoken to me of you. Renee, dear, this is one of my new students.”
    Renee turned to Theo. Her glance was dismissive. “How nice to meet you. Dear me, child, is that a sunburn? Is it as painful as it looks?”
    Theo felt herself flush at Renee’s tone, silky and edged all at once. She’d forgotten her blazing cheeks and nose during Grant’s cheerful conversation. Now she remembered her father’s dire prediction. Another correction, she thought: bright purplish-red gargoyle on a rickety crimson ladder.
    A sudden movement at her side caught her attention. “I’m sure it’s uncomfortable, Renee, but certainly not as bad as you make it out to be.” Julian had materialized next to her, his voice chilly as he surveyed them. He’d changed into another crisp button-down, white this time, and looked even more tanned and suave.
    Theo felt her blushes redouble. Why hadn’t she just stayed in her room and hidden under the bed?
    “Evening, Julian,” Dr. Forge-Smythe said. “Nice party.”
    “Thank you, Henry. Hello, Mr. Proctor. Welcome back, Andrew. My dear Theodora.” Julian smiled at each of them, pointedly passing over Renee. Theo saw her pout but hold her tongue. Odd. Why wasn’t she turning her feminine magnetism from “stun” to “kill”? Surely Julian, handsome as he was, would be a prime candidate in her eyes?
    “Now, my dear, let me see that sunburn.” Julian’s voice interrupted her musings.
    “Oh, it’s nothing, real—” Before she could finish, he’d tilted her chin toward him and fastened that blue gaze on her, then brushed his fingertips over her forehead. A blessed coolness quenched the fire in her skin as he touched her.
    Julian smiled in satisfaction. “Not bad at all. Can I get you another glass of wine, Theodora? You really ought to wear your hair down like that all the time. That golden red is stunning.”
    “You look tired, my pet. Let’s find you a chair, shall we?” cooed Renee, tugging on her husband’s arm. She ignored Theo and gave Julian a reproachful frown. He smiled and shook his head at her as she and Dr. Forge-Smythe moved toward the table, still trailed by the eager Andrew.
    Theo wished she could run off to the ladies’ room and have a quick look in the mirror. What had Julian done? She glanced beside her at Grant and saw that his face was carefully blank as he looked at Julian. But then he met her eyes, and she felt her confusion and discomfort fade.
    Julian waved his hand negligently in the air. One of the garlanded undergraduates appeared at his side, holding a tray of full glasses. He handed one to her. “You mustn’t mind Renee. She’s quite devoted to Henry, so we tolerate her. But she doesn’t like competition.”
    “I can’t imagine she ever has any. She’s gorgeous.”
    “Not frequently. But it does happen.” He looked at Theo and repeated softly, “It does happen.”
    A loud clang directly behind her made her jump. June Cadwallader stood there, holding a small bronze gong and looking grim.
    “Ah, June,” Julian said with a bright smile. “Have you met Theodora yet? My dear, this is June Cadwallader, chief prop and mainstay of the department. We’d all be in desperate trouble without her firm hand on the wheel.”
    “You generally are, even with it,” Ms. Cadwallader said. She scrutinized Theo, her expression stony and her lips