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I didn't get a chance to respond to your kind comment before dashing off into Christmas plans: thank you again for all the many replies, I looked forward to each one. It's always a little bittersweet when something ends, but fortunately I do have more NA stories planned. They're not all written or finished yet, but I promise to announce them when they are.by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Catherine's note taking may resemble many a college student's when faced with seemingly pointless lectures (more doodles than study aids), but there's no reason for GT to know that. After everything Henry and Catherine have been through in this story, I did want to give them a solid homecoming, which they took and ran with.by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
I look forward to sharing more (when I finally get them written!) My favorite part of any Austen book is the evolution the characters go through, as their character strengthens through trials from without and within, so hearing how you saw H/C's development strikes a real chord: thanks!by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
You're quite welcome: thank you for such faithful, responsive readership! I've enjoyed reading everyone's comments with each chapter released. Eleanor's absence is sad, since she's a wonderful character, but I wanted to give Catherine and Henry more than a "deux ex Viscount" ending this time around, so she remained off stage. I do plan to bring her back in future stories I have planned, though.by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Unfortunately, I think GT was more disturbed by the idea of a Mrs. Tilney not keeping boundaries of class for visits/visitors than any concern over straying from the boundaries of her marriage. Regardless, I think the surest proof that Catherine is officially one of the family is that he's treating her the way he does his own children: mood swings, officious dictates, and an expectation of subservby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
There is very little to be related next concerning this adventure in the lives of hero and heroine. But what facts remain to be considered are provided within this epilogue, short and concise as all such finales should be. While the general had expressed every intention of personally overseeing the improvements of Woodston's parsonage and byways, he was distracted in these efforts by two dividedby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
The last two days spent at Northanger Abbey passed without any further terrors to dispel their comfort. Henry was able to once again ride with his father, in even higher spirits and more strength of body, and Catherine was pleased at table to observe how cordial they appeared conversing with each other. They would perhaps never enjoy the same easy understanding as existed with her own father; yetby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
I've never seen a "What If?" for Persuasion involving Lady Russell (they're usually all about Wentworth coming back instead), so kudos on a unique situation. The first person perspective and present tense were a bit unwieldy in places, but the POV did allows us easy access to her thought process as she gradually changed her mind. Lady Catherine's contribution was golden; I would have liked to heaby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
I see the searching by title is working, so that's a great improvement: thank you! It looks like there still may be some kinks with the blurb area; I'll try again later when I've more time to experiment.by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Thanks! The drama is just about over, so it's time for the hero and heroine to get some long-deserved rest. It's not quite "happily ever after;" after all, there are two chapters left, and the Tilney family's never going to be completely at peace with each other. But I think like you said, they and the readers are happier now because they're overcome the challenges met and grateful for the simpleby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
How do we know Henry Tilney's all better? His motor mouth is in full force.by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
A lot of Frederick's current hangup is being stuck somewhere he's largely escaped since entering the military; heir or not, I don't think he's any fonder of his home than his siblings. The bond between him and Henry is a tough one to crack, as we're only given a sampling of clues in NA and they seem to have such very different personalities. But I think there is a bond, strained though it may be,by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Jerk is right; I don't find him sympathetic even in the plight I as the author put him in. But I did want to make him fully realized character who acts in a way that is understandable, even if we can all agree it's not good.by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
I wondered when I saw this one posted on AO3 if it was an old or new one: excellent rhyming/scansion. Was there supposed to be a verse 2?by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Yes, it's a rough blow, and one he absolutely does not know how to deal with. If he were actively engaged in the war, he could fight in his memory; if he were with his friends, they could carouse and move on; and if he were a more temperate or higher-minded person, he'd use it as a time of reflection and improvement. But he's stuck at Northanger Abbey with someone equally unwilling to face unpleasby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
The trials of the previous day were nothing compared to the solace Catherine received that morning. Breakfast proved not only enjoyable but enlightening: the doctor was a most pleasant companion, with plenty of anecdotes regarding his tenure caring for those in the household. Learning the gentlemen were out riding, and that she was not to leave until Monday, Catherine nevertheless was given everyby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
A loud curse answered his knock, warning Henry not to expect a warm welcome. "I am glad to hear your lungs are recovered enough for such energetic pronouncements," he said on coming into the room. The large cast drew his eye first, and it was evident how little mobility such a huge encumbrance would allow. Next he noticed the number of bottles scattered about in various degrees of emptying, of whiby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
The worst part of deciding to improve is when you get smacked with the opportunity to do so immediately: going to see Frederick is not on Henry's top 10 things to do (or possibly 50), but now he's stuck between what he wants and what he knows he should do. Or maybe that's just me. As for Frederick himself: I'm following Austen's NA tradition of trope subversion, so perhaps not so Gothic/dramaticby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Yes: one of the things I love about Austen's works is how even her best characters are not perfect, they all struggle, but they're not all hiding horrible secrets either: they're just real people who have to keep working at improvements. Again, the majority of the growth in this book is for Catherine, but I did want him to have his own arc as well, especially since he's still fairly young and learby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Thanks for the close reading/corrections. Yes, Frederick will return (but, I promise, briefly). Hope you enjoy the remaining chapters.by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Thank you: my mother (an English teacher) always gave the same advice, which I have tried to follow, but obviously this chapter suffered from too much rewriting/too little revision. I appreciate everyone pointing these things out, and making it better for later readers.by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Since Henry's usually the one more in the know, so to speak, it was fun putting him in a place where he's so off balance (but in a good way!) Glad the humor came across, it was fun to write. This General Tilney is a little more like the one we see in Northanger Abbey, the public face he likes to wear: sociable, braggy, enjoying the center of attention, liberal in all the expected ways. It's not aby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Thank you: this story is primarily Catherine's, but I wanted Henry to have some growth too. I was hoping this chapter didn't drag too much, considering how introspective it is, but Henry needed some time to process things; and without the crutch of righteous anger, and feeling so much better physically, he's able to see how maybe he needs to adjust some of his own perspective. Hopefully he will brby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
It's a happier dinner for everyone (even, maybe, in spite of himself, General Tilney).by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Hooray for the pumpkin pie! (Yes, it is a Thanksgiving song!) This one really fit the meter of the poetry, I read hearing the kids tape chorus from my childhood singing along to the lyrics. Well done.by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Frederick's larger frame forbade Henry to appropriate more from his wardrobe even had he been willing to risk it. The good Mrs. Forest, in packing for their impromptu visit, had not thought to equip him for proper riding attire, and so there were only two coats to chose from come the morning, notwithstanding an old thing from his university days that was still found haunting his former quarters. Mby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Thanks for the correction: annoying that I've missed it after so many drafts, but happy to correct for future readers. Glad you're enjoying the story.by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Henry's reaction to being awoken was of more than usual temperance: he felt refreshed and was eager to prove his fitness. It was not long before Dr. Morton agreed, adding that he had no further concerns for Henry's departure. "I should refrain from any hard industry: you will need time to regain your full strength. But there can be no difficulty in returning to your pulpit, provided you continue tby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild