I do not own Divergent. Credit goes to Veronica Roth.
I do not own Pride and Prejudice. Credit goes to Jane Austen.
Since the young gentlemen had arrived at Rosings, they had come to deliver the invitations to dinner themselves to Mr. Alan and those in his home. Most times it was only Colonel Uriah who would come and visit. Other times Mr. Eaton would come with him.
During one invitation, Uriah had noted that he would request for Beatrice to play again and perhaps Lynn to sing as well that night. The two ladies assured him that they would not disappoint him.
That evening, Beatrice played a tune as the Colonel sat next her and assisted with turning the pages, commenting every now and then on how well she played. It was not long into her second set that they were joined by Mr. Eaton.
Beatrice could not help but notice again how very serious Mr. Eaton looked. She had only caught a small glimpse of a smile here and there in Abnegation. The night prior she made it her goal to get him to smile once more while they had been visiting in Rosings.
Before she could remark, Lady Evelyn spoke up.
"You do play very well Miss Prior. However nothing can be achieved without great practice. I have told Mrs. Alan this," Lady Evelyn directed that sentence to Mr. Alan who nodded. "Though you do not have any instrument of your own," she said to Susan. "You, Miss Prior, and your sister are most welcome to come and play the pianoforte here in the servant's quarters. You will be nobody's way in that part of the house."
Susan thanked her. Beatrice though was not short of spirit, especially after that comment.
"I believe we would have to ask the servant first," Beatrice stated. "For we wouldn't want to disturb the servants."
Colonel Uriah could not help but laugh at both Beatrice's comment and at the look that was on Lady Evelyn's face. Mr. Alan looked shocked at his relation's behavior and almost had censored her. Instead he sought to console Lady Evelyn for she did not seem very pleased at all that she had been spoken to in that manner.
"Play another," Uriah asked her as she smiled and nodded. Lynn excused herself to speak with Susan regarding something. She had noticed Mr. Eaton standing there and still felt uncomfortable around him.
Tobias noted Beatrice's playing style was elegant and though she as stated by herself, was not a master at the craft, she was charming at her attempts and added a flare all her own. He must have been looking upon her too long for Beatrice's eyes met his.
"Do you mean to frighten me Mr. Eaton by coming here in all your state to hear me? But I shall no be alarmed, even if your sister is a proficient pianist," Beatrice teased him.
"You misunderstood my intentions," Tobias replied. "However, your opinion of me has been greatly misdirected."
Beatrice paused and smiled. "Your cousin, Colonel Uriah would not wish for you to believe a word I say," Beatrice commented. "That is quite ungenerous of him, don't you think?"
"It is Eaton," Uriah smiled at him.
"Impolitic too," Beatrice continued. "Because now it moves me to retaliate and say something of his behavior in Abnegation that may shock even his closest friends and family."
Tobias could not help but smile. It seemed just like her to do such a thing. "I am not afraid of you."
"What do you have to accuse him of," asked Colonel Uriah. "I should dearly love to know how he behaves among strangers."
"Prepared to be surprised Colonel Uriah. When I first met Mr. Eaton was at an assembly ball where he danced only four dances, though gentlemen were scarce and more than one lady was in want of a partner. Do you deny it Mr. Eaton?"
"I do not. I knew no one outside my own party," Tobias told her. To him it made perfect sense. He did not want to associate with people he did not know or would not given the crowd.
"And no one can be introduced at a ball," Beatrice countered.
Tobias was about to respond but closed his mouth. It was considered that balls was currently the greatest form of social gathering where one could meet many others, converse and dance as well.
"I see that you have been defeated cousin," Uriah teased.
Tobias cleared his throat right as Beatrice started to play. "I do not have the ability of conversing easily with people I do not know," he informed Beatrice. He wouldn't have admitted it to anyone else, but he truly did feel as though she ought to know.
Beatrice paused from the piano once more. "I do not play this instrument as well as I ought to. But I had always felt the one to blame is myself, because I did not take the time to practice," she informed Tobias. "Perhaps, you should take your Aunt's advice Mr. Eaton and practice."
Tobias's lips twitched a little at the advice she had given rather than seeking to apply his Aunt's advice and nodded to her. He walked back over to the couch to sit and examine Beatrice play. She smiled a little that he had regarded her opinion. He usually never did. There was something about that moment that stuck with Tobias and was beginning to grow in Beatrice as well. Call it a slight understanding if you must.
Lynn and Beatrice had been there about two weeks and had enjoyed the company of Colonel Uriah the most. He would entertain the young ladies and even Susan with stories of his travels and of course his cousin Mr. Eaton.
"How long are you folks planning on staying here," Beatrice asked, hoping that their plans to leave would not be so soon.
"I hardly know," the Colonel answered. "I am at Eaton's expense after all."
Beatrice could not help but roll her eyes. "Everyone seems to be at Mr. Eaton's expense."
"I assure you, Miss Beatrice, my cousin though quiet at times, is a most loyal companion."
Beatrice nodded deep in thought, until there was a knock at the door. Beatrice, the Colonel, Lynn and Susan stood. In walked none other than Mr. Eaton.
"Eaton," said Colonel Uriah joyfully as he walked towards his cousin, shaking his hand and patting him on the back. "We were just talking of you."
Susan was the first to curtsy. "Forgive me Mr. Eaton, but Mr. Alan is not at home at present," she said believing that he had come there to visit with Mr. Alan. For he never had come before to wait upon Susan.
Tobias stood there uncertain of what to say. He had come there with a reason and purpose, but with so many people in the room he was finding it most difficult to speak now.
"Will you not sit, Mr. Eaton," asked Susan.
"Yes," cried out Uriah. "Sit man. Perhaps Mrs. Alan if you could call for some tea for my most disturbed looking cousin. What brings you here Eaton?"
Tobias played with his top hat a while and sat down slowly. His eyebrows furrowed as he looked at Beatrice.
"This is a lovely home, do you not think so Miss Prior?"
Beatrice was a little shocked and looked about the room. This was a comment he should have said to Susan. But she nodded nonetheless. "Yes it is."
"I believe my Aunt went through a lot of work to revive the place."
"She could not have bestowed her assistance on a more grateful subject," Beatrice replied to Tobias, as she hinted towards Mr. Alan. Lynn could not help but choke back a laugh.
"Your friend must be happy with her situation," Tobias added.
Uriah cleared his throat and took a sip of his drink admiring the scene that was happening before him. Lynn looked towards him but he just slightly shook his head informing her that it be best that she not say anything at the moment.
"Yes she," Beatrice paused and then looked to where Susan had disappeared. "She is most content."
"It must be agreeable for her to be so close to her family."
"Close? It is nearly fifty miles."
"What is fifty miles of good road," Tobias asked as Uriah lifted an eyebrow at him. Tobias was slipping and Uriah could see it.
"I suppose a woman might not want to be settled too close to her family," Beatrice answered Tobias much to Uriah's surprise. She was just as confused about the conversation as Tobias was.
"Would you want to be settled close to your family," Tobias asked Beatrice. She turned to him and barely could form any statement. She was on the fence on the subject. But of course why would Mr. Eaton of all people be asking her such a question. As if realizing that he could no longer sit there under the watch of Colonel Uriah and Miss Black he stood up quickly and abruptly.
"Eaton, are you well," Uriah asked.
Tobias just bowed towards Beatrice, then bowed towards Lynn and headed towards the door.
"Oh, Mr. Eaton," said Susan almost colliding with him. "I have your..." but he was already gone and out the house. Susan walked into the sitting room just as Beatrice stood up to look out the door. That had bewildered her extremely. "Tris," laughed Susan seeing the shock on her friend's face. "What on earth did you do to poor Mr. Eaton?"
"I have no idea," Beatrice shook her head. Little did she know she had affected him greatly.