I do not own Divergent. Credit goes to Veronica Roth.
I do not own Pride and Prejudice. Credit goes to Jane Austen.
The Prior daughters sat down in the sitting room after dinner. Their father had not left his private library for a while, not even for mealtimes. Christina and Myra sat at the table reading and drawing. Despite their father coming home a couple days ago the mood in the home still seemed depressing.
"Should I call father out," asked Shauna breaking through the silence. "He has had nothing to eat since he came home."
"I will go and get him," Beatrice said.
Neither needed to move however as their father did enter the sitting room. All four of his daughters stood to examine Mr. Prior walking in looking tired and unwell. He did not greet any of them. Rather he retreated to sitting in his usual chair and poured himself a small glass of whiskey.
Beatrice looked to Shauna as they sat down again as well.
"Father," Beatrice spoke up. "You look so exhausted. Shall we call for something to brought to fill your stomach?"
"No," Andrew leaned back in his chair. "Say nothing about my tiredness or state of distress. Who should suffer for what has happened to our family but myself?"
"Do not be so severe on yourself, Papa," counseled Shauna.
"No," Andrew shook his head. "For once in my life let me feel how much I am to blame."
Shauna looked away still disheartened about her father. It truly was not his fault.
"Do you think that Lauren is still in Amity," asked Beatrice.
"Yes," their father sighed. "Whereas would she be so concealed?"
"Lauren always wanted to go to Amity," spoke up Christina.
Mr. Prior could not help but chuckle at this notion. "Well," he sipped some whiskey. "That is where she is and where her residence will be of some duration." Mr. Prior finally set down his glass and turned to Beatrice. "I bare you no ill will in forewarning me about allowing Lauren to go on this trip."
Beatrice reached out for her father's hand and he held it firmly.
"It shows greatness of mind. You perceived the dangers that I did not think present," Mr. Prior continued praising her. Beatrice smiled but still felt guilty about the whole ordeal.
Beatrice did not tell her father the whole story of why Lauren should have stayed back. Part of her concluded that if she had told her father everything about Eric Wickham then perhaps they could have avoided this whole ordeal.
"I think I should take Mother her tea," Shauna said standing.
"She still keeps her state above stairs," Andrew chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "There is some sort of happiness in this then. One day I'll sit up in my room, dressed in my nightgown and cap and give as much trouble for everyone in the house."
Shauna and Beatrice could not believe their father was teasing their mother at a time like this. Before he could be stopped, Mr. Prior continued.
"Perhaps I should save that for another time. Maybe when Christina runs away," Mr. Prior finished.
"I will not run away," Christina stated and straightened herself out. "If I should go on a journey with the militia, I would definitely behave more properly than Lauren did."
"Traveling with the militia," questioned her father. It was then that Mr. Prior realized his youngest daughter did not see the severity of it all. "No, my dear," he stood. "I have now learned to be cautious and you will feel the brunt of it," his voice spoke volumes. "No officer is ever to set foot in the door or even pass through this lane. Balls will be absolutely prohibited for you," he pointed to Christina. "That is unless you stand up with one of your sisters," he motioned as Christina realized that her father was serious.
"Father," pleaded Christina.
"No," Mr. Prior's voice was stern. "You will not even venture out doors until you can show that you have displayed yourself in an appropriate manner and can hold mature conversation. You have been put on restriction."
Christina could contain her emotions no longer and burst out in tears.
Mr. Prior softened just a bit. "Don't worry my dear. If you're a good girl for the next three years, I'll take you on a travel throughout Amity and the other country."
Christina gasped at the realization of what her father had stated. Three years was too long! And what frightened her further was that she could not travel alone, as her sisters did. From now on her trips would be with her father chaperoning her.
It was about a week later that a letter appeared for their father.
Myra was the one to receive it and paid the post. When walking with it through the kitchen to her father's library she was stopped by Christina.
"What do you have there?"
"It's just a letter, Christy," said Myra.
"Give it here," Christina stated.
"No," Myra pulled her hand back when her sister reached for it.
"Don't be such a baby."
Shauna and Beatrice overheard the commotion and came outside. Shauna was the first to take the letter from Myra.
"It's addressed to Papa," Shauna said.
"And it's in Uncle Arman's writing," examined Beatrice.
All four girls ran to their father's library and entered without even knocking.
"Does no one know the definition of privacy," asked Mr. Prior.
"A letter has just come from our Uncle," said Beatrice as Shauna handed it to their father.
Mr. Prior took a deep breath before opening the letter quickly.
"What does it say?"
"Has he found them?"
"Are they married?"
Mr. Prior ignored his daughters' questions and rubbed his forehead from the news. Their father handed Beatrice the letter. "Read it out loud Beatrice."