The Vampire of Northanger by Bryce Anderson

Author:Bryce Anderson [Anderson, Bryce]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Northanger Abbey - Jane Austen, Vampires, Humour, Alternate Universe - Fantasy
ISBN: 9781523373000
Google: 6y5ejwEACAAJ
Goodreads: 28517328
Publisher: Banned Sorcery Books
Published: 2016-01-12T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

It surprised Catherine to learn how many aches and pains could be inflicted upon a body merely by standing for a few hours and exploding various implements at the horizon. She returned to the abbey with relief, and also with an insistent ache in her shoulder where the stocks of the rifles had repeatedly prodded her. Upon re-entering the abbey, they were met by Dorothy, carrying a tray with two glasses of water. Catherine took one, but the general dismissed the servant without taking the other. He led Catherine into a study, where Henry sat at a small desk, engaged in some correspondence, and immediately made some excuse to depart, leaving the two alone.

Catherine sat in confusion, while Henry set his pen aside. “Is it your father’s practice to arrange such unsupervised meetings?”

In Henry’s smile she found assurance that the question had not been too impertinent. “I’ll fetch Eleanor, if you like. Though you must understand that, in a house such as this, one never has a truly private moment. The servants see all. Do you trust me to behave in a gentlemanly fashion?” Catherine nodded. “Then let us begin. Have you been long at Northanger?”

“A day only.”

“And have you yet honoured the upper rooms?”

“I think the third floor is the loveliest part of the house.”

“Capital! Now, I am given to understand that you have taken up arms in defending the house against all manner of invading fruits and vegetables. Are we safe at last?”

“I believe so, though your father slayed far more of the enemy than I did.” She shrugged her aggrieved shoulder. “I expect the discomfort shall lessen with practise. Whom are you writing?”

“I must return to my parish in Woodston soon, but I write to delay my departure a little longer. My parsonage rests in the hands of a capable assistant in my absences, which have been too frequent of late. In truth I intend to vacate the position soon.”

“Why?”

“I cannot tell you all, but an opportunity to do greater things lies before me, though I’ve argued back and forth with myself over the wisdom of the decision.”

Catherine could see only that his heart was ill at ease. “I do not think you shall choose unwisely.”

“Though you have no understanding of what is to be decided?” Catherine nodded. “Very well. I shall endeavour to repay your trust in full. But as the moment of choosing is not upon us, and you’ve been left in my care, might I suggest we converse in the training room? Eleanor and Andrei are probably there trying to bloody each other, which would provide meat for our own conversation and prevent anyone from reproaching us for sitting unsupervised.”

“I do not derive entertainment from violence as you do,” she said, “but I would rather talk there instead of here.”

“We shall make every effort to alter your tastes,” Henry said, standing. He walked around the desk and offered Catherine his arm. “You’ll soon learn to love the sight of a roundhouse kick well executed.

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