A short, fun, Northanger Abbey Modernization
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“My dad is pretty old fashioned,” said Henry Tilney, as they packed to leave for Easter holiday. “He was very eager to have you for a guest this week, but I’m certain we will be sleeping in opposite ends of the house.”
“How big is it?” Kate inquired excitedly, “I still cannot get over that you live in an Abbey!”
“I grew up there, so the novelty has worn off. But… there are plenty of long corridors and innumerable rooms. I’m sure you’ll love it! I’ll show you the older, preserved section. My dad received listed building consent from council to renovate the east wing so it’s entirely modern inside, but the west side is mostly true to the early 1800s restoration. It all looks ancient from the outside.”
Kate looked all her disappointment, but Henry laughed and added, “You’ll be thankful for the real washing machine and updated bathrooms.”
Eleanor walked in with a rolling suitcase and a duffle bag. “We are only going home for a week, Elle,” Henry said with a smile.
“You never know what the weather will be like this time of year,” she replied.
Kate’s eyes widened, “Should I bring my winter coat?”
“My sister has plenty of warm clothes at home and I’m sure they’d fit you, you’re about the same size,” Henry said.
Kate smiled and zipped closed her duffle bag. Henry picked it up swiftly before she had a chance to try to herself. They made their way out to his car.
Elle laughed, “You’ve got as many bags as I do!”
Henry stacked her bags in the boot of the car, “I needed to bring home my fencing gear.”
“That does not take two huge bags! You just can’t bear having limited wardrobe choices.”
“I don’t have any clothes left at home!” Henry said in his defence.
Elle whispered loudly to Kate, “We have the same amount of clothes. He just brought all of his here when he got an apartment.”
“I still have a bunch of stuff at home,” Kate said, “and I know my sister Sarah has been wearing my clothes. She posted pictures in them!”
“I wish I had a sister I could steal clothes from,” said Elle wistfully.
“It only works if you’re the same size,” Henry said with a secret wink at Eleanor. “Would you really like that sort of sister?”
“I think I would,” Elle smiled, as she climbed in the back seat. Kate had not heard them as she was texting her mum to let her know they were on their way.
Henry turned on the radio. The popular song of the moment: Met You in Bath by Rich and the Allens, was playing as usual. “Hey, I just realized, Richie Morland, the guy who sings this, has the same name as your father.”
“My father’s name is Richard,” said Kate.
“Richie is also named Richard, it’s a nickname.”
Kate laughed, “Oh! That makes sense. I should have realized. I guess I thought it was a stage name.”
“I only thought of it because your brother’s friend, John? He was bragging on Instagram that he was a friend of Richie’s son. How ridiculous!”
“He’s such an idiot,” said Kate under her breath. Kate was very glad to have turned down a trip to their house in favour of Northanger Abbey. As much as she liked her brother Jamie’s girlfriend Bella, she hated Bella’s brother John.
Kate and Elle discussed their love of the song, without any suspicion that the Instagram post was the real reason that Kate was the first of Henry’s girlfriends to ever receive an invitation to visit Northanger Abbey.
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They had stopped for lunch at a slow old-fashioned pub in the middle of nowhere, as far as Kate could tell at least. While they waited for their food, Kate asked, “Where will I be sleeping? In the renovated part I suppose?”
Henry looked at Elle for moment, “No, I thought you could sleep in the old family quarters, they are still maintained.”
Elle looked surprised, then with a look of consciousness she said, “In the west corner room? With that big old chest?”
“That’s the one! Perfect for someone into Gothic fiction and art. The room looks like a tower from the outside and you can always hear the wind whistle”
Kate frowned, “I’m not too obsessed with Gothic.”
“No, not at all, you only have three copies of Jane Eyre in your room at uni.”
“Two!” Kate cried.
“Three if you count the collected edition,” Henry reminded her.
“That’s with my only copy of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.”
“Still counts.”
Elle nudged her brother, “And you have three copies of Dracula if you count the graphic novel.”
Henry smiled, “I never said I wasn’t into Gothic fiction! And I’m not ashamed of it.”
“Does the wind actually whistle?” Kate asked dreamily.
“Certainly,” Henry said, then lowering his voice dramatically, “and I’ve been told by the housekeeper that it is haunted by the ghost of Elizabeth Tilney, who died there in 1793.”
Kate’s eyes widened, before she recollected herself and said, “I know you’re joking.”
Henry continued as seriously as before, “They say she wanders the halls of the house on stormy nights, trying to avenge her death at the hands of her own husband! And sometimes, there is a sudden draught from behind the old black cabinet!”
Kate gasped, but then said, “There is no such thing as ghosts.” She added, “Go on.”
“If you move the cabinet, you will find a secret door to a dark passageway. Down the passage, you find a staircase, with old etchings from the Abbey adorning the walls. And then there is a door, a heavy wooden door. Behind the door is an old sarcophagus and on the sarcophagus is written-” Henry stopped speaking or even being able to continue. Kate’s look of earnest interest and his own delight in a good story had overcome him.
By the time he was composed, they finally had their meal and the subject was not revived.
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Kate was led to her room on the second floor by Elle, who pointed out the bathroom on the way. “Henry’s room is on the first floor, and mine is in the renovated wing,” Elle said as she handed Kate a towel and flannel. “My father likes us to be on time for dinner, 6pm sharp. If you want there should be time for a shower. Don’t worry about your clothes, just wear something nice.”
A glance at her mobile told Kate she had half an hour. She quickly redid her hair and changed into a warmer jumper. The Abbey was chilly. She had a burning desire to explore her room. There was a large old chest in one corner, which she opened only to find it disappointingly empty.
Suddenly the wind whistled and she remembered Henry’s story. She looked around, there was a black cabinet in the far corner of the room. She ran over to it. Kate moved her fingers around the edge and then nearly screamed when she felt a gust of air coming from the wall.
“Kate?” said Elle, with a knock at the door.
“Coming!” cried Kate, wishing more than anything that she could stay, but hoping she would have time later that night to examine the wall.
Mr. Tilney, Henry’s father (Kate had never heard them call him “dad”), had not met them when they arrived as he had still been at work. When Kate came to the bottom of the staircase, she saw him, still dressed in a formal suit and tie. Kate noticed with sudden alarm that Eleanor had actually changed into a gown. She felt woefully underdressed in her jeans and knit jumper.
“It’s okay,” whispered Elle as they went inside the dining room, “My father doesn’t expect guests to dress up.”
Kate was surprised, but impressed, when Henry also arrived in a suit. He looked hot. They all sat down at a very large table already covered with food. There were actual staff in the house! Kate tried not to look too uncomfortable. She knew Henry’s family was rich, she hadn’t realized they were this rich.
After a few questions to his children, about their grades and friends at university, Mr. Tilney turned his attention to Kate. He asked in a very friendly tone, “What do you think of the Abbey so far? I hope our simple manner of dining is to your taste?”
Kate wondered if this was simple, what extravagant would look like in his mind! “The food is delicious, thank you.”
Mr. Tilney seemed pleased, then continued in the same attitude, “We can seat up to twenty guests here, but I am sure that is nothing to what you are used to.”
“My parent’s dining room isn’t half as large, but we can squeeze in everyone. More fun that way,” Catherine replied.
“I am sure their room is the size for true comfort,” said Mr. Tilney cordially, “but since I did inherit this house, it seemed a shame not to put it to proper use.”
Kate glanced around the room. It was very modern and decorated in the latest style. The only things that looked even slightly antique` were the windows; which must have been preserved in their original style to appease the government requirements. She said, “It is a very nice dining room.”
Mr. Tilney seemed satisfied. He talked about giving her a tour of the Abbey when they finished dinner. Kate happily agreed. As the meal progressed, she wondered that Henry had not spoken in so long. He was usually ready with something funny or insightful to add to any conversation. Eleanor likewise was eating her food without saying very much. It was odd.
“What is your major?” Mr. Tilney asked.
“Art history,” said Kate.
Henry, who had looked up at his father when the question was asked, saw a grimace flash across his face, but Mr. Tilney quickly composed himself again and said, “If your parents approve of it, it must be a very interesting subject to study.”
“Oh yes, my dad does. And it’s only on his account that I can afford the tuition.” Kate’s father was a professor at their university, she got a heavy discount because of it.
The dinner continued in this manner, Mr. Tilney was the chief talker and inquirer, Henry and Eleanor said very little. Kate found the entire meal delicious, though the overall experience could have been improved if her boyfriend and friend had been in better spirits.
After dinner, Mr. Tilney took Kate, followed dutifully by his children, on a tour of the Abbey. Kate very politely admired one modern, spacious room after another, wishing that he would have taken them to the west wing instead. Fortunately, after he finished, he had business and retired to his office. Elle and Henry seemed to revive their usual cheerfulness and they spent a very happy evening in the living room, playing pool and foosball.
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At about eleven, Henry suggested it might be time for bed. His father liked to have breakfast as a family when they were home for break. “We have to be up by 8a.m.,” Henry said mournfully, then to Kate he whispered, “Watch out for the ghost!”
Kate found her room, after one or two misadventures, not feeling a little bit tired. After all, she usually stayed up past midnight at university. She changed for bed, with the early wake-up time in mind, but then her fancy was caught again by the black cabinet.
She walked back to it and tested if it could be moved. It was not heavy, but she struggled for a few minutes to push it forward enough so that the wall behind it could be examined. At first, she was disappointed to see nothing, but turning on the torch on her phone, she could make out the outline of a seam in the wall. She traced it with her fingers until she felt a groove that fit her hand perfectly.
Kate pulled and the wall opened with a rush of air.
She stood for a moment too surprised by the truth of Henry’s story to move. Taking out her phone, she tried to turn on her torch again, but the spotty reception had drained the battery and she only saw the etchings on the wall before her phone died. Kate stood at the top of the staircase in desperate suspense, wanting very badly to go forward but afraid to do it without light.
Turning away and walking to the only socket in the room; she plugged in her phone. Then she returned to the staircase. It was madness to go down without light! But she could not resist. She could not wait for her mobile to charge. Only a few steps. Maybe there was a light switch. She felt around with her hands. Nothing. She went down a few spiral steps and very quickly the light from her room faded away. She held onto the wall and went down further and further.
It was nearly pitch black when she rounded a corner and saw the dim outline of a door. That must mean there was light on the other side, which encouraged her. She felt for the handle. It was old and took her a few moments to turn. Kate took a deep breath and prepared herself to be frightened. She pushed open the door, expecting to see the sarcophagus…
“I knew you would figure it out,” Henry said, happily. He was sitting at his computer desk in sweatpants. “You look like a ghost yourself! I was almost frightened.”
Kate looked down at her long, white nightgown, “I’ve never worn it in before because my room at uni is so warm. It’s chilly here.”
“We are in the older section of the house; the insulation is very outdated.”
“Why didn’t you want a room in the modern wing?”
“I liked this room better. My father thought I was nuts when I first asked to move.”
“Will you show me the older parts of the house tomorrow?” Kate pleaded.
“Of course,” Henry assured her. He encircled her in his arm, and whispered, “but first I thought we could explore some things in this room. There is no sarcophagus, but the bed is an antique.”
Kate smiled coyly, “You said your father was old-fashioned. Does he know these rooms connect?”
“He doesn’t have a clue; he hates this part of the house. Eleanor and I found it when we were kids. That’s why I wanted this bedroom when I was younger, I thought the staircase was so cool! Then I realized when my father invited you over that I didn’t have to be apart from you for a whole nine days.”
Kate rewarded this romantic speech with a kiss.
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The next day Elle and Henry took Kate over the far more interesting parts of the house and some of the gardens, after their very early breakfast. The day was fair and they went on a walk through some of the overgrown forests behind the Abbey. At one point they had been manufactured wildernesses, but now they were unmaintained, except for the footpaths. The Tilneys were careful to plan a walk that would ensure they were home in time to shower and change for dinner.
Upon their return, Kate asked if she could borrow one of Eleanor’s dresses. “I didn’t bring anything fancy enough for your meals!” she said.
“Oh, Henry hates that rule and he knows our father won’t enforce it for guests. He wasn’t trying to embarrass you, I think he was trying to spare you from the whole ordeal,” said Elle reassuringly.
“I would rather look more formal if everyone else does,” said Kate.
Elle nodded and quickly selected a long, dark blue gown. Kate walked down the stairs feeling like it was her prom night again. Henry smiled when he saw her, she had been worried he’d be angry she gave in to his father’s customs.
“You look beautiful,” he said, “Elle matched that gown well to your skin tone. But you don’t have to dress up.”
“I want your father to like me.”
“If he doesn’t that’s his own fault,” Henry said softly, “but don’t worry. He blames me for not telling guests to dress up. I knew your formal wear was at your parent’s place; I didn’t want you to spend money on something so foolish.”
Kate nodded. She did not want to admit that her “formal wear” consisted of one bridesmaid dress in a horrible pastel colour and the gown she wore to her graduation. Henry was right, she didn’t have money to spend on gowns, or any real need for them while in university.
The meal was very similar to the last one. Mr. Tilney generally talked and Henry and Eleanor were generally silent. Mr. Tilney spoke mostly about his eldest son, who was in the RAF. Kate replied as politely as she could and wished that this excruciating ordeal would soon be over. She was looking forward to the living room, and a staircase.
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Three days passed in nearly the same manner. Kate had a very good time when she was with Henry and his sister, and she got through dinner as best she could. It was strange, because Mr. Tilney seemed so attentive to her, and yet she could not like him.
Kate had just descended the secret staircase and they were making their way very slowly towards the bed when there was a sharp knock at the door. Henry whispered urgently, “It’s my father!”
Smoothing down her nightgown, Kate looked towards the concealed door. “I’ll go,” she said, running back towards the staircase. She had just pulled closed the door when Henry’s door burst open and slammed against the wall. Kate was too terrified of making a noise to move, so she remained at the bottom of the staircase.
“That girl is leaving tonight!” Mr. Tilney shouted.
“What are you talking about?” said Henry incredulously, “You invited her here for Easter. I’m not taking her back now. It’s only Wednesday.”
“She’s just trying to get your money. I should have known. Have you seen this?”
Kate wondered what it could be, but her curiosity would need to wait. “Have you been stalking my girlfriend online?”
“You should be glad I have been! She is not Rich Morland’s daughter.”
“I knew that the whole time! Maybe you should have asked me. Richard Morland, her father, is a professor at our university. I’ve taken classes with him.”
“Are you certain of that, this says she’s not even a student.”
Henry scoffed, “Father, you really should know better than to take John Thorpe at his word. He’s just angry that Kate didn’t want to date him. He’s been harassing her. Have you seen his other posts?”
Kate knew he must have, since it was John’s earlier post that falsely linked her to Rich. She longed to see what the new post said, but she had no reception at all while in the staircase.
“I have seen her posts. She has ten brothers and sisters. They must be desperately poor. And she takes the train to school.”
“Kate’s family has a good income; they are solid, middle class people. They’d be wealthy if they hadn’t taken in Kate’s nieces and nephews. Her aunt and uncle died in a car accident so they adopted their four young kids. She doesn’t have a car but they aren’t impoverished.”
“It says she isn’t a student and scammed the university for the cheap accommodations.”
“Rooms at university aren’t very cheap at all, actually,” Henry said dismissively.
“I am going to take her back to that university first thing in the morning. You have no business dating an art history major. You know that degree won’t lead to anything.”
“I love Kate,” said Henry. Kate had heard the words before, but her heart swelled to hear Henry speak them so defiantly to his father, “I don’t care if her degree isn’t in engineering or medicine. She’s smart and active, she’ll make something of it. As for your plan, if she leaves, so do I.”
“Then you won’t be coming back,” his father threatened.
“Then I won’t.”
“I will cut you off!”
“I’m actually good with my trust fund; I don’t visit because I want your money, I always came to visit out of respect for my mother. If she didn’t place such a high value on family, I would have spent all my holidays at school. But if you’re going to throw my girlfriend out on the street, I’ll leave and never come back. I don’t care if you cut me out of the will.”
“I have expectations for sons of mine!”
“That has worked out so well for Fred,” Henry said coldly.
“You’re twenty-one, you don’t know what you want in life. This girl isn’t worth your time.”
“I’ll decide what is worth my time, and Kate is the kindest, most honest person I’ve ever known. And unlike yourself, she doesn’t care how much money I have!”
Kate heard stomping and a door slam. She ran upstairs and waited anxiously in her room. From below, she heard the door slammed again. Then she heard footsteps coming up the stairs. “Kate?”
“I’m here.”
“He’s gone. Did you hear all of that?”
“Yeah.”
Henry was wearing his jacket, “How soon can you be ready to go?”
“In ten minutes,” said Kate.
“Join me once you’re ready,” he said, and then descended back down the staircase.
Kate packed as quickly as she could and then carried her duffle bag down the stairs. Henry already had his bags packed. “What about Elle?” she asked.
“I talked to her already, she’s coming too.”
“Are you really going to be okay? Will Elle be able to pay her tuition?”
“We’ll be fine. If he really cuts us off, I can pay her tuition until my sister controls her trust.
“Did your dad really think I was Rich Morland’s daughter?”
Henry shook his head, as if more embarrassed at his dad’s stupidity than anything else, “Yeah, he did.”
“I mean, if you Google me you can figure it out pretty fast. My dad has a whole page on the university website.”
“I guess he didn’t go that route.”
Kate stopped, put down her bag, and gave Henry a hug. He looked at her inquisitively.
“That was the sweetest thing anyone has ever said about me,” she tilted her head for a kiss. He obliged her.
“I have so many more charming things to say to you; once we get out of here,” he promised.
Kate smiled, “I love you too.”
FINIS
For more short stories, go here
For my crossover romance, check out Prideful & Persuaded
For my Mansfield Park variation, here Unfairly Caught