Thank you to those who read, enjoy, follow, and review on my story. I really appreciate it.
Side note, has anyone seen Furious 7? I thought that was a cool movie. RIP Paul Walker. My boyfriend took me to see that opening night and then this past weekend as well, since I made him watch Insurgent twice. It wasn't that bad a movie and had some romantic cheesy parts in there too, I cried at the end... =(
So many excited things happening this month. I recently quit my job, because I'm planning on doing summer courses, after spring semester, to prep for my final year at UH! Woot woot! So I know I am looking forward to that, one less thing to do, until I graduate... Anyways, enough about me, on with the story!
I do not own Divergent or Pride and Prejudice. Credit belongs to Veronica Roth and Jane Austen...
Beatrice would be lying to herself if she said that she did not enjoy the company of young Mr. Eric Wickham. He was different from the other soldiers that had camped here now or even prior to this militia. He had an easiness about him that she could not help but be drawn too.
They were present once again at the assembly hall one evening after Mr. Wickham's arrival when Beatrice sighed heavily upon seeing Mr. Eaton had accompanied Mr. Pedrad that evening.
"May I have the pleasure of keeping audience with you, Miss Beatrice?"
Beatrice turned to see her newly formed acquaintance, Mr. Eric Wickham, standing there with a pleasant smile.
"Of course," she replied as he sat near her.
"I have to say I did not think that I would have escaped your younger sisters," Mr. Wickham told her.
Beatrice smiled at this. Sure she should have scolded her younger sisters, but she found that Mr. Wickham's statement was condescending or meant to cause harm. Rather it was friendly. "Yes, they are quite determined, are they not," she looked up at him to see him looking intently at her. Beatrice did love a good joke and to have one at her sister's expense was rather mischievous.
"Yes," he agreed with a slight nod, still keeping his ever present smile upon him. "They are delightful though. I must say the company here at Abnegation is quite delightful all around."
"I'm glad that you are finding it to your liking," said Beatrice.
She was not one to flaunt that Abnegation was the greatest place. But at the same time, she did not appreciate those who thought so little of the country place that she had known as her home.
She also couldn't help but compare this encounter with Mr. Wickham and her previous to the many encounters with Mr. Eaton.
"Even if a place is unsuitable, one should always make the best of it," Eric replied. "And I find things to be more pleasant, don't you think Miss Beatrice, when we regard things in a more productive manner?"
It was then that Beatrice couldn't help but widen her smile. He was a man with a optimistic outlook in life and she adored it. "There are some," Beatrice started as her mind reeled with comparing the two men. "Who need to adapt your viewpoint, Mr. Wickham."
At this he smiled, for he could see that he and her were forming a bond. It was then that her attention was broken away by Shaun walking over with Mr. Pedrad. And of course, to Beatrice's displeasure, Mr. Tobias Eaton.
"Mr. Wickham," said Shauna as Eric stood to bow to her. Mr. Pedrad walked to Beatrice, who stood to greet him, and he took her hand and bowed to it.
"Lovely to see you again, Miss Beatrice."
"Pleasure as always, Mr. Pedrad. May I introduce Mr. Wickham. He is a Lieutenant in Colonel Maxter's regiment," Beatrice said.
"Ah, yes," Ezekiel replied and the men bowed at one another. "I am told that you are quite the swordsman from Miss Lauren."
Mr. Wickham chuckled. "Yes, well, the young ladies love a good story. I hear I am to deliver to you the gratitude of all the men in the regiment for you are to hold a most spectacular ball at Netherfield."
"It was promised, yes," Ezekiel smiled. "Although, a date has not been set yet. Perhaps, dear Miss Prior, we shall inquire about it with the planner," he turned to Shauna as she blushed.
"Perhaps, we shall," Shauna placed her hand on Ezekiel's as he escorted her over to where Lauren had been speaking with the many officers.
Beatrice then turned to see Mr. Eaton standing there, regarding only her. "Mr. Eaton, have you met Mr. Wickham yet," she asked with a small smile, turning to Mr. Wickham who bowed most gentlemanly towards Mr. Eaton. She smiled more, however it was replaced with shock when Mr. Eaton had left.
Quickly, Beatrice turned to see Mr. Wickham unaffected about Mr. Eaton's callous behavior and he turned to her with a smile.
"Forgive me, Mr. Wickham, I had not thought the man would behave that way. Surely if I had known..."
"The fault is not yours Miss Beatrice. It is mine," he urged her to sit. "I had not think that he would still act in a rash manner."
"You know him?"
"Eaton? Yes. I have known him for quite some time. In truth, all my life. We grew up together, Eaton and I," Mr. Wickham nodded towards Mr. Eaton and taking a seat as well.
Beatrice could tell from the way he spoke and had called him that they were indeed known associates.
"However, I do not feel it right that I should speak so ill of the man who I had played with since I was a child, raised alongside with as if I was a brother to him," Mr. Wickham sat back and turned to look at Mr. Eaton. Then back to Beatrice. "There are many who think very highly of him, I'm sure. So I would not wish to taint his good standing in society."
Beatrice would have been approved, but the Mr. Eaton had just slighted Mr. Wickham, the same way that he had done to her.
"He is not at all liked in Abnegation," Beatrice replied as Eric looked at her shocked. "People are disgusted by his pride." Her and her family and most of her relations being those people.
"Does he intend to stay long in Abnegation?"
"I do not know," Beatrice answered. "But I hope that his presence here does not affect your plans to stay." Beatrice had just obtained his fine man's company, she did not want to let him go so easily.
"Nonsense. If wishes to avoid me, like now," Eric nodded in his direction as Beatrice held back a giggle. "Then he must go. Not I. Yes, we're not on friendly terms. But I shall not be driven away. Even though I have every reason to avoid him, he has done me great wrong." Mr. Wickham looked up to see Beatrice smile reassuringly at him. "You see, his father was a great man. And my father worked as his steward. When my father passed away, Mr. Eaton took me in, raised me as a son, loved me as son. He had written in his will that upon his death, that I be given a living, for he knew that I had my heart set on joining the Church. But after he died and the living was vacant, his son refused point blank to honor his Father's wishes."
"How cruel! Why would he do such a thing?"
"Jealousy, I suppose. You see, I believe his father loved me more and Eaton just couldn't stand it. He was spiteful even at a young age. Now, I have to make my own way in the world," Mr. Wickham smiled at Beatrice.
"But for Mr. Eaton to descend to such malice. He should be made known and publically disgraced." Beatrice hurt even more for this kind creature before her.
"Perhaps, but not by me. Until I can forget his father, I cannot bring myself to defy or expose him."
It was then that Christina and Lauren laughed at the game of cards they had been playing with the militia. It had just ended and they had won, claiming victory and cheering ecstatically.
"How can you be so content with his treatment towards you," Beatrice asked drawing attention back to the conversation.
"I do not have a resentful temper," Mr. Wickham replied which made Beatrice smile. For she had heard it about a week ago that Mr. Eaton's greatest weakness was resentment.
The two were definitely not alike at all.
"My current situation in life is not so bad. I cannot bare to be idle, my position is well deserved, my fellow officers are excellent men," Mr. Wickham explained as he looked around the room with content. "I find the society agreeable here," he returned to Beatrice. "I have many things to be thankful for. Therefore, I forbid you to feel sorry for me."
Lauren had been walking by and overheard. "Tris," she called to her sister. "Why do you feel sorry for Mr. Wickham?"
Eric turned to her and smiled. Then looked back at Beatrice. It was an unspoken gesture but she quickly nodded, letting him know that she would keep his story a secret. He smirked and Beatrice almost melted. "Because I have not have a dance these six months at least," Eric chuckled, changing the subject.
"Six months," gasped Lauren. The audacity of a young man so good looking as Mr. Wickham to not dance. "Why, Mr. Wickham, you should have one now," Lauren said obliging him with a dance, taking his hand and leading him away from Beatrice.
Beatrice sat down and looked across the room at Mr. Eaton scowling. She had never thought a man to be more arrogant, insensitive, and harsh as she presently thought of Mr. Tobias Eaton.