I do not own Divergent. Credit goes to Veronica Roth.
I do not own Pride and Prejudice. Credit goes to Jane Austen.
Beatrice's sisters did accompany her into town that day. The militia was to be residing in the village for the entire winter and Mrs. Prior allowed her two daughters to venture amongst the young men that visited which of course was a bit improper to say the least.
"There's Captain Edward," cried out Lauren. "Come on Christina, make haste."
"Goodbye Beatrice," Christina called after their older sister as Lauren dragged her away to meet with the officers.
Beatrice walked over to Netherfield to see after her sister. Of course, it had just rained the day before, so she did encounter a much muddy terrain. But she did not mind at all. She had a rather adventurous spirit.
It was not long until she arrived in Netherfield Park and ran into the very man she detested.
"Miss Beatrice," exclaimed Mr. Eaton a bit shocked to stumble upon her.
"Mr. Eaton," Beatrice curtsied as he bowed. "I have come to see after my sister."
"On foot," he questioned.
"As you see," she replied quickly as if it was most obvious that there was no carriage in sight.
Tobias would have been appalled at her response had he not already encountered her pert opinions before. However, her cheeky retort had made him smile a little.
"Well then," he turned and gestured for her to follow him. "Let me take you to her." Tobias slowed down right before they hit the house, so they might just walk in side by side.
As Beatrice visited with her sister, Mr. Pedrad's sisters on the other hand, had taken a critical view of the young lady.
"What does she mean, scampering about the country, just because her sister has a small cold," cried Miss Caraline Pedrad. "Her hair Molly!" She pressed her sister.
"I swear I could not keep my countenance at the sight of her."
It was by a piece of malicious intent that Miss Pedrad turned her attention towards Mr. Eaton. "I'm sure you saw her appearance Mr. Eaton. Very little attractiveness there, wouldn't you say?"
Tobias considered it for a while, until remembering seeing her out in the park that morning. "On the contrary, I found her eyes brightened by the exercise." Caraline almost eyed him out critically, for everyone in their party knew that he did not find Miss Beatrice the least bit pretty when they first had met. Yet the more he saw her, unknown to him, those in his acquaintance and Beatrice herself, the more he was intrigued by her.
Seeing that praise was falling upon her, Mr. Pedrad's other sister steered the conversation into another direction. "Did you notice her dress brother," said Mrs. Hayes. "Six inches deep in mud, I'm sure."
"I must admit, it escaped my notice," said Ezekiel at his two sisters. He thought them silly at fault-finding. "Her traveling here shows an affection for her sister that is most pleasing."
"Ah yes, dear Shauna," said Mrs. Molly Hayes. "She is a sweet girl."
"Ooh, but the mother," said Caraline as they both Ezekiel's sisters laughed lightly. "And her sisters," she added remembering their folly at a previous dinner they had attended together.
Just then Beatrice walked into the breakfast room. "Miss Beatrice," said Mr. Pedrad standing. "How is your sister?"
"She is still a bit out of sorts."
"How very distressing," Ezekiel responded a bit hurt to find someone sweet like Shauna in her state. He wondered for a brief moment, how to rectify the situation. "You must stay with us until your sister is recovered," he demanded.
"No," answered Beatrice. "I would not wish to inconvenience you."
"Nonsense," replied Ezekiel. "I'll send for your things right away," he nodded towards one of his attendants.
Caraline and Molly immediately became flustered with the idea. It was then that Mr. Peter Hayes, Mr. Pedrad's brother in law spoke. "So there will be no sport today," he questioned. "Let us hope the young lady's stay does not interrupt with my sport this afternoon."
That was the first time Beatrice had her him spoke and she thought, how odd that Mr. Pedrad be in company with such a pessimistic lot.
During the night, Beatrice decided to go down into the drawing room, at the urging of Shauna saying that she was well enough to be left alone. Beatrice didn't want to state this, but she did not want to associate with anyone in this house. However, she found herself among them reading a book as Mr. Pedrad played cards with his sisters and brother in law.
"How is your sister," asked Mr. Eaton, alarming Beatrice a little.
"She is well," she answered, still taken aback that he showed concern for someone else.
"I'm glad to hear it," he answered and went to sit at his desk. Caraline noticing the conversation decided to gain Mr. Eaton's attention, for she felt the need to protect him. Her need did not stem from her viewing him as a dear friend but rather as a potential spouse.
"Will you not join us Miss. Bea," Caraline asked.
"No thank you," Beatrice politely answered.
"Prefer reading to playing cards, do you," questioned Mr. Peter Hayes. "How singular," he remarked as his wife and sister in law laughed.
"Miss Prior is a great reader," continued Caraline. "In which she finds great amusement. And takes very little interest in something as disagreeable as cards, is that right?"
"I deserve neither praise nor condemnation. I am not a great reader," Beatrice corrected. "And I take interest in many things. With fine company of course," she added to the end which made Miss Caraline's smile drop.
Caraline decided to direct her attention somewhere else. "And what do you do so secretly there, Mr. Eaton?"
"It is no secret. I am writing to my sister, Marlene," Mr. Eaton remarked as this caught Beatrice's attention. She did not know the man had a sister.
"Yes, dear little Marlene," smiled Caraline. This is where she could shine. "Tell her how I long to see her."
"I have already told her once by your request."
Caraline could sense his attention to her slipping, so she pressed on. "I was quite in raptures at her little design for a table."
However, Tobias did not falter. "Perhaps if you will give me leave to inform her of that until another letter." He glanced quite annoying at her. For although he did think Caraline attractive and prestigious person herself, he found her to be like any other lady that he had met in his acquaintance, boring. Seeing her face drop a bit, he softened the blow. "Right now, I don't have room to do your analysis justice."
"You must meet her Miss Beatrice. I found her work very accomplished," Mr. Pedrad turned to Beatrice who smiled back. "All you young ladies are accomplished. You sing, you dance, embroider cushions and so much more." Beatrice smiled at Mr. Pedrad's politeness. It was well endured.
"That word is applied too liberally. I cannot boast of knowing half a dozen women in all my acquaintance that could be really called accomplished," finished Tobias. Ezekiel shook his head at his friend.
"You must comprehend a great deal on the thought," Beatrice asked.
"I do," Tobias answered.
"Of course," added in Caraline before the conversation would have excluded her. "She must have a thorough knowledge of reading, writing, drawing, and the modern language to deserve the word. And also something about her dress, her manners, her air and the way she walks," Caraline added as she straightened out. Beatrice would have rolled her eyes, but kept her comment reserved. That was until Mr. Eaton decided to add into this conversation.
"And to this, she must have something more substantial. The growth of her mind, by extensive reading," Tobias pointed towards Beatrice, which made her snap her book shut tightly.
"I'm surprised at you knowing only six accomplished women, I wonder at knowing any," Beatrice bite back.
"Are you so severe upon your own sex," Tobias turned in his chair to give her his complete attention.
"I never saw such a woman. She'd definitely be a most fearsome thing to behold though," she held Tobias's gaze strong.
"Come, come," called out Peter. "You're all playing very light," he remarked to the table that originally had been playing cards. That statement broke Beatrice's fixed stare away from Tobias.
Tobias was glad for the interruption. For during his and Beatrice's little exchange he began to find her uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her eyes. Though he had critically demeaned her appearance, now he was forced to admit that he found her figure light and pleasing. He enjoyed her easy playfulness.
Can you feel the excitement in the air? In just ten days, Insurgent will hit theaters! Are you excited? I'm excited.
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