I do not own Divergent. Credit goes to Veronica Roth.
I do not own Pride and Prejudice. Credit goes to Jane Austen.
Only the idea of combining the two and placing characters in their respective places is mine.
"I have come to let you know how ardently I admire and love you," Tobias answered.
Beatrice sat there shocked and unable to move.
"In declaring myself I have come to realize that I am going against the wishes of my family, my friends, and need I add my own better judgment."
Beatrice's mouth was about to open in embarrassment.
"You have to understand that an alliance between our families will be highly reprehensible. As of now I am not thinking rationally and have set that aside and ask that you end my struggles and consent to being my wife," Tobias proposed.
Beatrice was a loss for words. She opened her mouth and closed it, looking about the room still surprised at his admittance. It was then that she looked about the room and her eyes cast down on the letter from Shauna. It gave her just the right amount of strength that she needed.
"Because I am obligated to answer, know this Mr. Eaton. I have never desired your good opinion and you have certainly bestowed it most unwillingly." Beatrice rolled her eyes and looked down. "I'm sorry to cause pain to anyone, but it was most unconsciously done and I hope will be of short duration to you," Beatrice answered turning her attention back to Mr. Eaton.
Mr. Eaton looked up at her to see her face masked with seriousness. He walked to the other side of the room. He was expecting a far different answer than that.
"Is this your reply? Is this the only reply I am to receive?"
Beatrice didn't answer. She only nodded and then looked away.
"May I ask with little to no effort at civility I am rejected," Tobias asked.
"And may I ask why so evident a design to insult and offend me that you told me you like me against your better judgment or that your choice in me as your wife was irrational? That is some excuse for incivility if I was uncivil," she asked as Tobias looked down.
How could he possibly think that that was a gentle statement or one that would induce passion or love?
"I have every reason to reject you. Do you think that any consideration would tempt me to accept the man who had been the cause of ruining the happiness of a most beloved sister?"
Tobias stared at her. He did not think that she knew.
"Do you deny it Mr. Eaton?"
"I have no wish to deny it," Tobias answered seriously. "I did everything in my power to separate my friend from your sister and I rejoice in my success."
Beatrice looked away appalled at his statement.
"It is not merely that on which we have a misunderstanding and my rejection is founded. My opinion of you was first formed when I heard of your dealings with Mr. Eric Wickham. How can you defend yourself on that?"
"Mr. Wickham," Tobias said through gritted teeth. "You take an eager interest in that man's concerns," he questioned loudly, silently cursing Eric for being the man that he was.
"Who can know of his misfortunes and not take an eager interest in him," Beatrice cried.
"Misfortunes," Tobias questioned. "His misfortunes have been great indeed," Tobias walked across the room, shaking his head at her statement.
"And of your infliction upon him. You have reduced his life to his present state of poverty and yet you treat his misfortunes with ridicule and sarcasm," Beatrice responded remembering how Eric would be someone grand if not for the man that stood in front of her.
Tobias on the other hand, could not believe his ears. "So this is your opinion of me? Thank you for explaining it so fully," Tobias was angry. He had just confessed his feelings, something he had never done, so openly towards her and she downplayed everything about it. "Perhaps these offenses might have been overlooked had not your pride been hurt by the honest confession of my feelings for you," he suggested. "Did you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your circumstances? To congratulate myself on the hopes of a relationship whose conditions in life is below that of mine?"
Beatrice stood up and matched his tone.
"You are mistaken Mr. Eaton. The way and manner in which you proposed spared me the concern I would have felt for rejecting you. You could not have made your offer of marriage to me in any possible way that would tempt me to accept you. Your arrogance, conceit, and your selfish disdain for others helped me to draw that conclusion that you do not behave in any gentlemen-like manner. I had not known you a month before I settled it that you are the last man on earth I could ever be prevailed to marry," Beatrice declared.
"You have said quite enough. I perfectly comprehend your feelings," Tobias looked away. "And now only feel ashamed of my own. I will leave you now," Tobias nodded to her and then walked towards the door.
Tobias placed a hand on the knob ready to depart, yet turned back to Beatrice.
"Do accept my sincerest wishes for your health and happiness," Tobias stated. Because despite all that was said and done, he still held a deep regard for Beatrice and knew that she would continue to hold a place in his heart.
I didn't think that I would have made an update this quick, but I did. I hope that you all enjoy it.