I do not own Divergent and Pride and Prejudice. Credit goes to Veronica Roth and Jane Austen.


About some time after that conversation at the dining hall, Lauren and Christina had invited a couple of the young men from the regiment over to play games. It was going to be a wonderful little luncheon as the Priors set up in the garden.

"A most wonderful breakfast room she has to be sure," Mr. Alan commented on Lady Evelyn's house and all it's magnificence to Mr. Wickham and Beatrice as they took a turn about.

"Her ladyship must be fond of where she takes her meals," added Mr. Wickham with a smile. Beatrice attempted to hide back a laugh.

"Yes, she is," Mr. Alan agreed. "For it must be somewhere the sun does not overpower the lighting of the room and yet does not detract from the beauty of it."

Lady Evelyn proved to be a very attentive person to detail and often would share her opinion on matters, whether one liked it or not. However, being the type of person that she was, majority of people allowed themselves to be graced with her critical thoughts.

"Mr. Alan," called Shauna seeing that Beatrice could use a rescue from his conversation. "Mr. Pedrad has come and I would love to introduce you to him."

Mr. Alan turned back to Beatrice. This was the second time he was being taken away from her company. If he desired to display his intentions towards her, he needed to stay.

"I was..."

"I believe he wanted the opinion of a God-fearing man as to the upcoming ball he is planning," Shauna quickly interrupted him. Beatrice gave her an all knowing smile and Mr. Alan quickly departed with Shauna to see Mr. Pedrad, who had also come for games.

Beatrice looked towards Mr. Pedrad and caught the eye of Mr. Eaton. He was about to dismount his horse, when he glanced to the side to see Mr. Wickham standing alongside her.

Quickly, Mr. Eaton took off on his horse, back to Netherfield.

"Your cousin is very well-mannered," noted Eric. Beatrice turned to him thankful for the opportunity to not discuss Mr. Eaton. She knew that Mr. Wickham had noticed that scowl on Mr. Eaton, yet nothing could deter him from thinking most positively and of course she welcomed a happy conversation with him. Things were easier with Mr. Wickham.

"Yes, he is," she agreed as they were commenting on Mr. Alan.

"Polite conversationalist," said Eric with a smile.

Beatrice knew that this time he was making a joke. "I assure you, there is plenty to be had of it here," she turned to him and smiled as well.

"I look forward to seeing you at the ball at Netherfield," said Eric.

"So you will attend," Beatrice smiled.

"Yes," Eric answered. "Mr. Pedrad issued a general invitation to the entire militia. Society here is very pleasing," he turned to Beatrice as they came towards Lauren, Christina and a few officers playing a sporting game.

"Mr. Pedrad," Beatrice said. "That is a very well-mannered man," she commented stealing Mr. Wickham's words. "I wonder how it is that Mr. Eaton has deceived his friends into thinking so highly of him when he is full of vanity and rude behavior?"

Mr. Wickham let out a sigh. "Eaton can do as he pleases amongst his acquaintances. Many of them just as vain and ill-behaved as well. What am I, but a lowly soldier?"

"Come on, Mr. Wickham, you are no such thing," Beatrice encouraged. Eric smiled and then led her around the garden once more to continue their conversation.

"I was surprised that your cousin, Mr. Alan, mentioned Lady Evelyn," Eric commented. "Lady Evelyn is Eaton's Aunt you know?" Beatrice seemed a bit shocked at first. "Her daughter, Nita, is betrothed to Eaton from a very early age."

Double shock for Beatrice. "You don't say?" Then she let out a laugh. "Poor Miss Cara Pedrad," she said softly as Eric and her continued to walk and converse.

Beatrice knew that Miss Pedrad was secretly attempting to win Mr. Eaton's attentions. It was evident that day that she was at Netherfield. She smiled inwardly again. To think all of Caraline's flirts would be all done in vain.

"Tris, do be serious," Shauna told her that night when Beatrice described the conversation that had taken place between her and Mr. Wickham this afternoon and a couple evenings before. "I cannot believe it at all. Mr. Eaton could never behave in such an unchristian way to go so far as disregarding his very own father's wishes."

"Oh, Shauna," smiled Beatrice. "Do you ever think ill of anybody?"

It was not meant to tease, but it was a fact. That Shauna, despite whatever her mother, sisters, and sometimes father would think, she was always resolved to look at the good in everything and everyone.

"Think Tris," Shauna continued. "Could his closest friends know about Mr. Eaton's conduct towards Mr. Wickham?"

"I rather believe that Mr. Pedrad was suggested something than to think that Mr. Wickham could have invented such a story," Beatrice straightened out and looked away.

Shauna caught something in Beatrice's manner and sat down on the bed next to her. "I believe you like Mr. Wickham, Tris."

Beatrice turned to see Shauna smiling at her. She had not ever been moved to think anything of the opposite sex before. As mentioned, to her they were humorless. Most she met were also arrogant, such as Mr. Eaton. But Mr. Wickham, Beatrice sighed. Mr. Wickham was something else entirely.

"I think I do," Beatrice returned her sister's smile. "I don't see how anyone could not like him. There is something so open and easygoing in his manner. He feels deeply and displays those emotions in his speech and his actions."

Beatrice let out a slight laugh at a memory she had of Eric's face while they conversed.

"He has a natural merriment about him, despite all that has happened. Yes, Shauna," she turned back to her sister. "I confess, I do like him."

Shauna smiled more and then took Beatrice's hand in her own.

"To believe him though, after such short an acquaintance?"

"Shauna," Beatrice cried. "He gave me circumstances, names, facts. There was truth and honesty in his looks," Beatrice insisted. For to her, there definitely was something in Mr. Eric Wickham's character that she favored. "If it is not true, then let Mr. Eaton contradict it himself."

Shauna could see that Beatrice's mind was made up in the matter. But, Shauna, the always considerate and kind one of them all, looked away deep in thought.

"I suppose one does not know what to think in this matter," Shaun replied. For she didn't know what to make of it.

Beatrice huffed and sat up straighter on the bed. "I beg your pardon. One knows exactly what to think on this matter."