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

Beatrice did not feel like telling Susan or Lynn about her proposal from Mr. Eaton. Actually she had mostly kept to her room, still claiming her ailment was that of a headache and all she needed was rest.

A couple days later, Beatrice finally decided that it was time to remove herself from her room. She got dressed and walked down the stairs to find Susan, Lynn, and Mr. Alan sitting at the dining table eating breakfast.

"You do look pale, Tris," said Susan. "Why don't you sit down and eat something? I'm sure it will do you good."

"Thank you Susan. But I think I've stayed indoors too long. The woods around here are so beautiful. I think fresh air and exercise will help," Beatrice said as she took a summer hat and made her way out the door.

The air was satisfying to her and she enjoyed it tremendously. It was nice to be out of the house and away from any reminders of Mr. Eaton. Her luck had run out though when she stumbled across Mr. Eaton looking around in the woods.

Beatrice hurried to back away. In her haste, she stepped on a branch that broke and caused the once silent woods to cry out.

"Miss Prior," Tobias said as Beatrice turned around to face him.

"Mr. Eaton," Beatrice bowed.

"I had been walking the garden in the hopes of seeing you. Will you do me the honor of reading this letter?"

Beatrice took the letter from his hand as he bowed and immediately left. She almost didn't want to open it. After a moment of walking with the letter in her hand, she decided to find a nearby tree. She sat among the heavy roots as she opened the letter and began reading.

Miss Beatrice Prior

Do not be alarmed at any renewal of the feelings that I had address to you earlier. This letter will contain no such sentiments. However, I must be allowed to defend myself against the charges you laid against me, particularly to those pertaining to Mr. Wickham. I can only refute such statements you made by giving you a detailed account of my relationship with him.

Mr. Eric Wickham was the son of my father's late steward. My own father was fond of him and held him in high esteem. We played together as boys. After Mr. Wickham's father had passed, my own father supported him. He was given the many privileges that many young men in his stature wouldn't be able to afford. By then Eric's manners were depraved. He showed a lack of morals in his lifestyle. My own excellent father died five years ago. Despite Eric's conduct, my father was still attached to him and had hoped that he would turn into a better man. My father left a home for him provided that he end his debauchery.

Eric denied any intention of entering the church, law, or any serious profession. He requested and was granted the value of the living instead. All connection between us seemed now dissolve. How he lived after that, I know not.

Last summer, our paths crossed again under the most painful circumstances which I myself wish to forget. My sister, Marlene, was taken from her tutor about a year ago to travel on a journey with a friend, who we were most deceived by and was no friend at all. Mr. Wickham had accidentally happened upon her, undoubtedly by design. It was during this time that she was persuaded to believe herself in love.

A day or two before they had intended an elopement, I joined her as a surprise. When questioned as to why she had not replied to any of my letters, she divulged the whole plan to me at once. You can only imagine how I acted. Marlene was only fifteen years old at the time.

Eric Wickham left the place immediately and relinquished his object which was my sister's fortune. If she was to marry, she would inherit fifty-thousand pounds. When it was made clear that he would never receive a cent, he left Marlene without a care. I have been attempting to pick up my sister's broken heart since then. This is a faithful description of all my dealings with Mr. Eric Wickham. And to it's truth, Colonel Uriah can attest to. He knows all the dealings of this matter. I don't know what falsehood Mr. Wickham imposed himself on you. But I hope that you will acquit me of cruelty against him.

Beatrice looked up and immediately thought about the news of Mr. Wickham marrying Miss Jeanine. She too had just inherited ten-thousand pounds. She always thought that Mr. Eaton had caused Mr. Wickham's trials that would result in him having to marry for money.

It became clear though, that Mr. Wickham had swindled Mr. Eaton's sister in the hopes of more money. A man that she trusted so heartily had deceived her. She shook her head and turned back to the other page of the letter.

The other charge leveled against me is that I separated your sister and Mr. Pedrad. I have no wish to deny this or do I blame myself for the outcome. I had not long been in Abnegation when I realized my friend was attracted to your sister. It wasn't until the ball at Netherfield where I noticed a serious attachment. Although he had made his partiality clear, I did not detect any sign of her part. Therefore I concluded that her heart would not be easily touched.

"She hardly shows her true feelings to me," Beatrice cried out shaking her head. "Shauna is shy and modest," Beatrice continued as she stared out at the woods. She turned back to the letter.

As to my objections on the marriage, it was mostly in part due to the lack of appropriate behavior so needed by your mother, three younger sisters, and occasion your father.

Beatrice closed her eyes and thought back to all the moments since Mr. Pedrad had arrived and her family's behavior. Memories of Lauren and Christina blatantly flirting with numerous soldiers from the militia, her mother's constant nagging, even dear Myra's statements had come up.

Beatrice did not want to admit it, but there were various occasions were her family did lack propriety.

There is only one part of the conduct that I do not congratulate myself on in the matter. That is that I concealed from Mr. Pedrad your sister's presence in town. This concealment was probably beneath me. Perhaps I shouldn't have interfered, I admit that much. But it was done I assure you with the best intentions of protecting my friend.

Beatrice's heart had dropped dramatically. Shauna could have spoke to Mr. Pedrad. She understand the meaning behind Mr. Eaton wanting to protect his friend, but still felt hurt for her sister being in town right at this moment and Mr. Eaton concealing that fact from Mr. Pedrad.

"Tris."

Beatrice jumped at the intrusion and quickly folded the letter and placed it in her pocket. "Yes," she called out.

Lynn came quickly towards her. "Hurry you're going to miss the gentlemen who came to call on you."

"Mr. Eaton came to call on me," she questioned.

"Yes, but he left right away when we informed him you were not home. Colonel Uriah is still waiting for you. Come," Lynn said and pulled Beatrice back to the house.