This month we're reading Gentlemen of Gloucestershire by Michelle R. Wood. Want to read with us? You can find the novel on the author's blog and AO3.

I've included short summaries of each chapter, plus links to bonus content from the author's blog that are included in the notes on AO3.

Let's discuss chapters 1-10!

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Ch 1: Catherine Tilney is happily settling into married life, pulled in every which way by the challenges of running a household, all the while supported by her husband’s wit and good humor. One Tuesday, while Henry is out on parish duties, Captain Frederick Tilney arrives for an unannounced visit.

Ch 2: The ”startled, perplexed, and not a little anxious” Catherine greets Captain Tilney. She is out of her league with a scoundrel like the Captain, and soon finds herself in a compromising position. At that very moment, Henry walks in!

Woodston Parsonage Floor Plans

Ch 3: Henry has returned early due to an approaching storm. Catherine is relieved and runs to him. He gives her the excuse of stabling his horse so she can escape. Henry is eager to get rid of his brother, and very nearly succeeds, except that Catherine (anxious to be a good hostess) pops in to invite Frederick to join them for dinner.

Ch 4: Unfortunately the cook is out, so Catherine is off to the kitchen to help pull a meal together. The dinner is a success, but Frederick offends both Catherine and Henry, who pulls his brother away, confronting him to determine what is actually going on. Frederick storms out, insisting on departing his brother's house in the now-heavy storm.

Ch 5: A jump back in time to Catherine's PoV. She nervously walks the house, realizing how severe the storm will be. She goes to her husband only to encounter Frederick stomping out. She and Henry discuss Frederick - he suspects his foul mood comes down to a disagreement between father and son. They comfort each other and are relieved to retire for the night.

Catherine, WandaVision, and Subverting the Trope

Ch 6: Henry and Catherine are out tidying the parsonage grounds after the night's storm, when Captain Tilney's valet rides up. He is surprised to learn the Captain is not with them. Henry is increasingly concerned for his brother's safety and decides to track him in the village.

Map of the Village of Woodston

Ch 7: Henry attempts to trace Frederick with little success until speaking with the miller, who had encountered a rider the night before. Under the threat of another storm, Henry reluctantly follows his direction - where he discovers his brother's horse. Lighting flashes and the horses bolt, leaving him stranded much farther from the village than he'd realized. He attempts to comfort himself with thoughts of Catherine at home, but is just as easily alarmed by thoughts of his brother: "While he had chided Mrs. Tilney for her abundant imagination before, Henry was no less susceptible, and could readily envision many reasons a man would be unable to return once unseated from his horse." He slips near an abandoned canal, his hand landing on something round and hard - a button, from his brother's jacket! Searching the ditch, he spies his brother's unconscious form. In his rescue attempt, Henry slips in the mud and both men fall - Frederick wakes - but his leg is broken.

Ch 8: With no sign of her husband, Catherine dines with the household servants in the kitchen. After the meal she hears Henry's dog barking. Opening the door to let him in, she realizes the dog's alarm is because a horse is approaching - the miller's son riding Henry's horse! Catherine decides to take out the curricle with the dog and Will, the Tilney's stable boy, to deliver the Miller's son home and maybe find her husband and brother.

The boy points them in the direction of the previous night's rider; after delivering him to safety, Will carefully (and reluctantly) negotiates the curricle down a muddy path. The dog has caught scent of Henry when the come upon the Captain's horse; the curricle can go no further though, and Catherine decides they must continue on foot. Fortunately, they soon find the missing brothers and rescue them from the canal.

Canals and Cotswolds

Ch 9: With Catherine in the carriage with Frederick and Henry on horseback, the group attempts to return to the parsonage, but the path is blocked by mud. Henry decides they must divert to Northanger Abbey. Once arrived, Henry faces the General, who insists that both he and Catherine stay the night, for fear of injuring his horses. Henry is relieved to find his wife well tended to, and a meal and fire waiting for him in his own room. However, he is soon taken over by coughing and fever and struggles to fall asleep.

Ch 10: Catherine awakens and begins her toilette, eager to be ready to leave when Henry comes for her, but also eager to make a good impression on the General. But - Henry does not come for her. She puts on a brave face and ventures out, eventually finding a servant to lead her to Henry's quarters. Catherine is shocked to find Henry still in bed, delirious with fever. The doctor comes and diagnoses physical injuries in addition to possible pneumonia. Henry wants to return home, but Catherine and the doctor insist he stay in place, under his father's roof. Catherine retreats to the hall, when a servant comes to relay a message from the General, demanding the presence of Henry. Catherine, ever the heroine, goes in his place.

Dramatic Acts in Austen Storytelling