By Janice P.

Part One

What if...

And for Mags and the other great Pemberley writers who inspired me

Catherine braced herself as best she could in the moving coach, and pulled out a clean handkerchief. She was still trying to understand why the General had turned her out. The understandable pain Eleanor showed at giving her the information had convinced Catherine of Eleanor's lack of involvement and true lack of understanding of her parent's wishes. Much as she racked her brain, Catherine still couldn't come up with a single reason (Mr. Tilney could not have told his father about her wild fancies, could he?) why General Tilney would throw her out, literally. It went against everything she had ever known!

To distract herself, Catherine looked out the window again. Watching the countryside was pure torture - it constantly reminded her of the trip to see Henry Tilney's parsonage. There were continual reminders along the road. As tears threatened, Catherine reminded herself that she would soon be past the turn off to the Woodston village and parsonage, and hoped that she could be more tranquil then.

Just as she had settled this thought, there was a sudden noise - cracking wood. The jostling of the coach became much worse and, as she tried to hold on, the coach went over, throwing Catherine against the far side. Everything went black...

Meanwhile...

Henry Tilney had risen early. It was a fine day and he was eager to be out and about. He had plenty of time before his first sermon and it was all written. He had been thinking about Catherine again - perhaps a drive would clear his head! He smiled to himself as he considered how attracted he was to the lovely, innocent and altogether charming young woman. He still couldn't account for the General's orders to pay attention to Miss Morland, but Henry was more than happy to comply. Henry had seldom been more thankful than he had that Wednesday during his father's, sister's and friend's visit. Many of the General's most terrible, assuming, and blatant comments were ignored, missed or gently dealt with by Catherine. Henry knew exactly which comments she missed, which she ignored and which she, embarrassed but kind, dealt with. All three showed how much of a lady she really was, worthy of the highest respect. Catherine's lack of experience simply meant she wasn't spoiled by society - yet. Her true worth had shown clearly to Henry - if he hadn't already seen how special she was, he realized it now.

He climbed into his curricle, whistled for the dogs, and headed out for a quick drive. It didn't help. All that came to mind was how enjoyable it had been to have her next to him during the last half of the drive to Northanger Abby. He smiled in remembrance of her fascination for the story he spun for her. Henry realized he shouldn't have encouraged her credulity with his ramblings - he had help set up the embarrassment she encountered when she developed her wild fancy that the General was a murderer. Not that he didn't have the personality (or lack of the same) in some ways, Henry grimaced to himself.

Without even thinking about it (he had his mind on a more agreeable subject), Henry had pulled onto the road and started towards Northanger Abby. Other than to stay to one side, he didn't give any thought to the hack-coach coming towards him. That is, until it went over a rut, and with a CRACK, the back axle broke and the coach tipped.

Henry immediately brought his curricle to a stop and climbed out to assist. The driver had been thrown clear. The man got up and called his safe condition to the gentleman. Henry called out, "What about the passengers?" and the driver replied, "One young lady - I need to check on 'er".

"Dear God!" thought Henry, and he moved over to the coach. By this time, a farmer and stopped by and was willing to help. The three men climbed up and opened the door (which was now on the top of the tipped coach). Inside, was a huddled shape, not moving. Henry climbed in, ready to help the young lady out, into the waiting arms of the farmer and driver. However, he had a terrible shock as he realized that the "young lady" was none other than Catherine Morland!

Later, Henry would smile at the image brought to mind - how on earth had Catherine finally managed to enact a scene out of a Gothic romance! The beauteous young lady, unjustly thrown out upon the world, encounters a terrible accident and is saved by her adoring suitor. The humor of the situation almost overcame him. But at the time, all he could think was "How badly is she hurt - and WHAT is she doing here?" Henry was almost frantic when he called her name and got no response. The farmer also hopped into the coach, and between the two of them and the driver they managed to get the unconscious Catherine out of the coach. The movement wakened her, and she could speak, if not entirely coherently, by the time they laid her on the grass by the verge. The farmer and driver exchanged glances as the young clergyman called the young lady by her Christian name yet again.

"Catherine - can you move everything?" She gingerly tried - and succeeded. Henry followed up with, "Where does it hurt?" Catherine put a hand to her head and uncertainly tried to get up. As she sat back with a groan, she said, "My head hurts and my leg - a little." The farmer looked at the young couple and asked "Well sir, you seem to know the lady. Will she be alright with you?" The driver also looked interested, as he suggested "I won't be going anywheres for the day sir. Could you give the young lady a ride back?"

Henry looked at the two men and replied, "After this shock, travel is the last thing Miss Morland should do. I will take care of her for now - thank you for your assistance." Henry shoved aside the dogs and helped Catherine into his curricle. He looked at her and gently suggested that he take her to his parsonage, as it was relatively close by. She replied she would be alright for such a short drive, and off they went, dogs on the floorboards, Catherine braced against Henry and Henry desperate to get her someplace quiet where she could rest.

Henry gave Catherine a sideways glance. She looked better. It was probably just a bump on the head and the shock that had knocked her unconscious. He quietly asked her if she felt any better. Catherine had been holding her face to the wind and enjoying how it felt. She shook herself out and replied, "I feel a little better." "Good," was Henry's response, "could you then answer a few questions for me?"

"I suppose so" was Catherine's quiet response. She dreaded what was coming. Now that she was settling down, she remembered WHY she had been in the coach in the first place. "At least," she thought to herself "my family isn't expecting me, so they won't be worried when I fail to make it home today".

Henry looked at her, and asked "What were you doing in that coach? I thought it had been agreed you would stay with my sister for a few weeks longer, at least." All he could think was that she had received an express last night and there was some family emergency. Her sudden flush and downcast face worried him more. She was embarrassed. What could she be embarrassed about?

Even more softly, so he had to listen carefully to even hear her, Catherine answered. "The General returned late last night. He remembered a previous engagement for the family - out of the county. He made arrangements for me to go home first thing today, as your sister and he are leaving tomorrow to keep the engagement." She couldn't meet his eyes. The shame of being tossed out in the manner she had been - her justifiable distress, resentment and tangled feelings were inappropriate, she felt.

Henry stared in amazement. He could hardly believe what Catherine had told him, but he had no reason to disbelieve it. Catherine wouldn't lie, and why else would she be traveling - ALONE of all things! - in a hackney coach! "He put you out, didn't even send a servant, in a common hackney-coach, within a night!" Henry's anger towards his father burned deeper. "This is beyond infamy - even for him!" He looked at Catherine. No wonder she didn't seem willing to talk! "I will take you to the parsonage. I will send for the surgeon to look at you, and make sure you really are alright. My housekeeper will look after you, while I attend services at my church. After the surgeon has seen you, we will decide what more is to be done." He was silent after that, considering what to do. He couldn't keep her at his home. Even bringing her there was really inappropriate, but what else was to be done?

They pulled up to the parsonage. Henry's man came out to get the horses and looked surprised to see the young lady driving with the master. Henry called to him "Jones, never mind the horses. Get Mrs. Jones out here - this young lady has been in an accident and needs to rest and be seen by the surgeon. You get him - or send a boy. Mrs. Jones, there you are!" Henry finished gratefully. He turned Catherine over to his housekeeper with a minimum of explanation. Once Catherine was in the house, he went into his study. He glanced at the clock - still half an hour before he needed to leave for the church. His housekeeper hadn't SAID anything, but she had LOOKED volumes! A bustle occurred in the hall, and he came out to see the surgeon coming in with his man, Jones. Jones looked at Henry, as Henry said "Thank you very much Jones for going so quickly. The horses are tied out back - if you could take care of them now." Jones nodded and went out, as Henry conducted the surgeon to his spare room, where Catherine was resting.

Catherine called "Come in " when she heard the knock on the door. She looked up to see a serious middle-aged man follow Henry into the room. Henry quickly introduced them, "Dr. Normand - this is Miss Morland. Her coach went over on the main road. When we pulled her out she was unresponsive. A few minutes later she was aware again, but she said her leg hurt as well as her head." Dr. Normand smiled a little and suggested Henry leave him to check over Miss Morland. Henry blushed and did so.

The doctor sat down next to the bed, and said, "So young lady, is Mr. Tilney's account accurate? What do you have to add to it?" Catherine steadily looked at the doctor and said "My head still hurts a little, but no worse than it did when I fell out of a tree when I was 10. My leg held my weight when I walked inside, but it still hurts. I imagine its just bruised from falling on it." The doctor was a little surprised, but not upset. It sounded like she had been quite the tomboy, and therefore had her share on injuries. He asked her a few more questions, then checked the bump on her head and the painful leg. He concluded that she was right about the leg, and probably right about the head. The headache she had would go away and she seemed fine. The doctor invited Henry, who had been hovering in the hall, to come in. He said, "Mr. Tilney, this young lady is very lucky. She is not badly hurt. She should be fine to travel in a few days, however, I must insist that she not travel until at least tomorrow. She says she was going home - another 50-odd miles away. As its not an emergency, I suggest she wait until her headache is completely gone. Bouncing about in a coach is only going to aggravate her headache, and you can never be completely sure with head injuries. She should remain quiet and rest for a few days before traveling.

"Thank you Dr. Normand" was Henry's reply in the room. He followed the doctor out, after smiling at Catherine. She was worried by the doctor's comments. She had to leave - she had been sent home!

When he had the doctor alone, Henry paid him, then asked a personal favor. "Dr., I'm sure you can see how inappropriate it is for Miss Morland to stay with me - but there really isn't any place else in the village for her to go. She was recently a guest with my sister. Would you mind letting people know that YOU recommend Miss Morland not travel, AT ALL for several days? I will go to Northanger Abbey tomorrow and find out what we are to do. I can't go today, and the situation... well, I need to go personally and straighten things out. I do have Mr. and Mrs. Jones for chaperones here, and will make sure Miss Morland is well cared for."

Dr. Normand had been expecting the offer of his home, but the allusion to some problem at Northanger Abbey threw him off. He watched Henry carefully as he spoke, then replied, "I am happy to be of service, Pastor. Now you need to move, or we will all be late out of church this morning!" Henry chuckled at the sally, and popped inside to speak with Mrs. Jones. A few minutes later, he headed for the church, where his congregation was starting to gather. On his way into the church, he heard snatches of conversation that made it clear his house guest had been spotted, recognized as the young lady who had visited with the parson's father and sister, and was being speculated about. Fortunately, nobody came out and ASKED him about her, so he could keep quiet on the subject a little longer.

Henry gave the service it's full due. He even managed to keep his mind on it instead of his involuntary "guest", until he had spoken the benediction. Then, as people starting filing out and chatting, Catherine came foremost in his mind again.

Continued in Part Two

Back to Cult of Da Man Fan Fiction

Copyright © 2000 by the author. All Rights Reserved.

Home • Contact • T&T