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That indignation on his behalf? That was funny.
Now that's a Henry Tilney reaction: laughing in spite of himself at the ridiculousness of the situation, and Catherine's adorableness even when she's intruding far past where he would have liked. It's his most in-character moment, and very good to round out a great story. "Perfect Idiot" is, indeed, a great villain name for John Thorpe.
At first read I thought the story dragged a little into plot-point-A--plot-point-B--etc with Henry's transition to Master Mind, but on a second read it felt appropriate emotionally, as our POV character is intentionally suppressing one personality and assuming another. I like how Catherine didn't figure out his identity all at once, but through several close shaves, and that Henry for all his cool competence is caught unawares by her confession.
I would totally read more stories set in this 'verse if you have any inspiration at all, especially if the General really does show up! Thanks again for a new and very different NA story.
