I do not own Divergent. Credit goes to Veronica Roth.
I do not own Pride and Prejudice. Credit goes to Jane Austen.
"Tris! Tris!"
Beatrice hurried quickly into the house to see Christina about ready to burst into tears. "Whatever is the matter?"
"Tell Mama," Christina urged. "Tell her it's not fair," Christina cried.
Shauna walked up and let out a sigh.
"What is going on," Beatrice asked.
"Lauren has been invited to go with Colonel Maxter and his wife to travel to Brighton," Shauna stated as Beatrice's eyes widened.
Lauren started dancing around the room joyfully. "I shall need new clothes for there will be balls and parties every night!"
"Why did she not invite me as well," Christina pouted. "I have just as much right as you do. All the more so as well because I am two years older!"
"What can I say," Lauren looked up dreamily. "I'm better company."
Christina cried out again and hurried off to find their mother.
"Did father give you permission," Beatrice asked Lauren.
"Not yet," Lauren smiled. "But he will not deny this to me, not when I've been invited by the Colonel himself to be his wife's particular companion. Oh," Lauren cried out joyfully. "I shall dance with the officers every night!"
Beatrice took off to find her father. Shauna caught up to her and stopped her just in the hallway.
"I need to speak with Papa," Beatrice told Shauna. "She cannot be allowed to go to Brighton!"
"Beatrice," Shauna cautioned. "Do you mean to tell Papa about Mr. Wickham?"
"No," Beatrice shook her head. "It's just... It's not safe."
"Papa will ask why it is not safe and so you may end up telling him about Eric," Shauna warned. "Think about when you first found out about his conduct."
"To be honest, I was very uncomfortable learning about Eric. I need you, Shauna, to comfort me. No," Beatrice shook her head. "I will just have to warn Papa instead of telling him about Wickham. Besides who would believe it? The prejudice against Mr. Eaton is so violent and Wickham is so endearing."
"Perhaps you can convince Papa another way," Shauna urged.
Beatrice was determined to try. She walked quickly towards her father's study and knocked on the door. From inside, Mr. Prior called her inside.
"Ah Beatrice," said Mr. Prior. "Are you requesting to go Brighton as well?"
"Lauren should not be allowed to go," Beatrice blurted out.
"Come here, my child," Mr. Prior said quietly. Beatrice sat down opposite her father. "I do not understand your reasoning. Lauren has been given an opportunity to go out into society with very little expense or inconvenience to the family. I have written to Colonel Maxter giving him my permission to allow her to go."
Beatrice stood up and looked out the window. "Don't you see what great disadvantage it is to us all by allowing her to go," Beatrice looked back at her father. "Lauren's unguarded, flirtatious behavior brings up censure against her sisters, which has already arisen..."
"Already arisen? Has she frightened away some of your lovers," Mr. Prior teased.
"I have no injuries," Beatrice quickly shook it off. Although she could not help but think about Mr. Eaton's statement regarding her younger sisters. "I was speaking about the general perspective of us, our position as a family, the respectability and credit of us. Father, if you do not take the time to realize that she will be beyond reach. Her character will be set as the most determined flirt that will make her and her family look ridiculous."
"Yes you do have a very silly sister," Mr. Prior laughed.
"This is important, Papa! Christy follows her example. Don't you know that they will be despised and censured wherever they go? They will involve their sisters in the same disgrace," Beatrice commented.
"My dear daughter, please sit back down," Mr. Prior encouraged her as Beatrice walked towards the chair again. "You and Shauna stand separate from your sisters in so many ways. You are both respected and highly valued. It will not appear to any less advantage that you and Shauna have two, dare I say, three silly sisters. Besides, we will have no peace in this house until Lauren does go and expose herself in society."
"Papa," Beatrice tried again.
"No, Beatrice, I have concluded that Lauren shall go. Colonel Maxter is a sensible man and I believe that all will be alright."
Beatrice sighed and got up to leave. She turned one last time to tell her father about what Mr. Eaton had said and that part of the reason why he detached Mr. Pedrad away was because of Lauren's behavior. However, she sighed in defeat and turned away. Something had stirred in her that she did not think she would ever feel.
For the first time in knowing Mr. Eaton, she felt she would not be able to live with herself if he ever found out that she discussed his feelings and concerns with others so openly. She concluded that he would be hurt and angry with her and deep down inside, Beatrice did not want to bring displeasure to Mr. Tobias Eaton.
A few days later as Lauren was busying herself with shopping for ribbons and new material and a certain lace, Beatrice and Shauna decided to accompany her, along with their Aunt Victoria.
Beatrice wondered a few steps away and found none other than Eric laughing about something with Will and Edward. She let out a sigh and turned to keep away from him.
"Miss Beatrice," called out Edward.
"Captain Edward," Beatrice turned and then curtsied as the gentlemen approached her and bowed.
"How have you been my dear Tris," Eric spoke.
Beatrice smiled at him and could not help but wonder at how many other unsuspecting young women he had fooled. "Very well, thank you Mr. Wickham. I am just off to find Lauren. She has been invited to tour with Colonel Maxter's wife."
"Ah, yes. It's a very depressing thought that you will not be joining us as well," Eric told her.
"Yes, well I will be joining my Aunt and Uncle and touring the Lake country."
Just then Lauren ran out quickly. "Will," she cried out as she found him and linked their arms. "And dear Edward too! What do you think of my new ribbons?"
"They're very beautiful Miss Lauren," Edward told her.
"I will be attempting to attract some new beau up there. Those northern officers are quite handsome I hear. Nothing like the militia from this side of the Country," she teased Edward and Will.
Their joking was soon drowned out when Eric stepped towards Beatrice. "I hope to speak with you before I leave," he said taking her attention away from her youngest sister flirting openly with the officers.
"I am quite busy."
"Busy with what," Lauren interrupted. "Oh, which reminds me there will be a little dinner at the Black's house this evening. You three must come. I've already informed Colonel Maxter."
"Lauren, you cannot invite other people to a party that is not your own," Beatrice informed her.
"Nonsense, it just the officers and Lynn enjoys their company as well," Lauren smiled.
"Shall I speak to you then, Miss Beatrice," Eric asked.
"I am uncertain if I am going," Beatrice answered.
"Please do," responded Eric. "For it is very imperative that I get to speak to you one last time," he took her hand in his own.
Beatrice was at loss for words.