Could I ask a cheesy favor?

[daredtowork]

69. Actually that's the part I got hung up on, too

IMHO, I think in an academic (or corporate) hierarchy there is an implied power relationship that could be coercive, because the higher ranking person can write recommendations or make introductions (or conversely, ruin your reputation in the "good old boys" network). So personally I'm for that particular point in academic codes of conduct that Bob's against. However, Bob thinks those codes overreach into personal privacy, and his argument is that authentic love should trump it.

As for the rest, regarding the wife, it's the plot of the novel. Rowan is not such a heroic a character, but his decisions have consequences. The latter half of the book isn't so much about him.

Oh, it might also help to know there's some Arthurian allegory going on.