I do not own Divergent or Pride and Prejudice. Credit goes to Veronica Roth and Jane Austen. I just wanted to see what would happen when I added the two together. That idea is mine...
Beatrice kept her head down, waiting for a response. When she did not receive one she glanced up to find Mr. Tobias Eaton standing there looking at her in bewilderment.
"Forgive me..." they both stated at the same time.
Beatrice paused and Tobias offered an encouraging smile.
"Please proceed Miss Beatrice," Tobias let her speak first.
"Forgive the intrusion. We were told that you weren't home. If we had known we wouldn't have dared to come here. They said that the house was open for visitors. I had no idea..."
"Please," Tobias interrupted. "Do not make yourself uneasy. I had business with my steward so I came home unannounced and earlier than expected."
"Forgive me again," Beatrice curtsied and walked away from the horse, past Mr. Eaton and hurried quickly back towards the house.
Beatrice found her Aunt and Uncle quickly and demanded that they leave right away. Aunt Victoria questioned if something was the matter. Beatrice said that she was fine, she just felt like leaving this place.
"We never should have come here! What does he think of me?"
"Who does," asked Aunt Victoria. However, Beatrice gave no answer and kept walking to the front.
Beatrice was just about to climb into the carriage when she noticed that Mr. Eaton was making his way down the walkway.
"Miss Prior," Tobias called to her. "You are not leaving are you?"
"Yes we are. I think we must," Beatrice spoke quickly.
"Then does that mean you do not approve?" Beatrice stared at him in wonder. "Of my home," Tobias clarified.
Beatrice shook her head and then offered Tobias a smile. "It is a beautiful home, Mr. Eaton."
"So you like it," Tobias smiled.
"I like it very much," Beatrice looked down. "I think there are very few who wouldn't."
"Yes. But your opinion is rarely bestowed and therefore more worth the earning." Beatrice looked up at Tobias to see him give her a small smile. Something had changed in his eyes that she had not taken noticed of before. It was like there was a flicker of gentleness in them. "May I be introduced to your friends?" Tobias turned and looked behind him.
Beatrice had forgotten all about her Aunt and Uncle. "Of course," she smiled. "Mr. Eaton this is my Aunt and Uncle, Mr. Arman Wright. Aunt Victoria, Uncle Arman, this is Mr. Tobias Eaton," Beatrice stated.
Tobias smiled and bowed like any gentlemen would. Beatrice could not help but think that he made it look so easy.
"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Wright," Tobias said. "Mrs. Wright forgive me, Miss Beatrice did not inform me where you folks are staying."
"We are staying at the Rose Inn," Victoria answered.
"At the Pier?"
"Yes," Victoria smiled.
"Delightful village," Tobias nodded and smiled as well. "I remember playing there as a child." It made Beatrice's Aunt smile more. "Mr. Wright, do you care for fishing?"
"Indeed I do," Arman lit up.
"If you stay long at the Pier, I must have you and your family up here," he nodded towards Victoria and Beatrice. "They can picnic by the lake while you and I fish in the stream we have up here. They are trout, pike, perch and I believe bass that live in the lakes around here. Why don't we go up and take a look at a good spot?"
Beatrice stayed back a bit while her Uncle and Mr. Eaton delve into conversation about fishing. Mr. Eaton seemed so at ease and hospitable. She wondered once again how very badly she had misjudged his character. Perhaps what he said was true. He did not converse easily with strangers. But upon better acquaintance with him, she noticed that he did become relaxed.
Uncle Arman called his wife over to the spot of the lake where Mr. Eaton had shown him and pointed to the landscape which his wife and he smiled over.
"Miss Beatrice," Tobias held up his arm. Beatrice smile, placed her hand around his arm and allowed him to walk her back towards the house.
"Again," Beatrice spoke. "I just want to apologize for coming here un-expectantly."
"Please, Miss Beatrice," he waved with his other hand. "It was no inconvenience at all." After another quiet moment Tobias cleared his throat. "How is your family? Your father, mother, your sisters," Tobias stated. "Are they all in good health?"
Beatrice couldn't help but smile. She did say that he should practice and although he look uncomfortable saying so much, he did put forth the effort.
"They are all in excellent health," Beatrice answered.
"Has your sister arrived home from Erudite," Tobias asked.
"Yes," Beatrice stated and then felt a tug at her heart for Shauna. "She did say that despite her small moment of disappointment that she did enjoy herself. There was much to entertain there."
"They will join me tomorrow, the rest of my party," Tobias explained. Beatrice gave Tobias a pointed look. "They are those who claim an acquaintance with you."
"An acquaintance with me," Beatrice asked.
"Mr. Pedrad and his sisters," Tobias answered as Beatrice smiled and nodded. Beatrice was glad that Mr. Eaton took note of the comment of which she said that Shauna felt disappointment. "Also arriving soon will be my sister, Marlene."
"She will be home this summer?"
"Yes," Tobias smiled. "If it's not too much trouble, that is I hope I'm not requesting too much," Tobias paused. "If I could have the pleasure of introducing my sister to you while your stay at the Pier?"
Beatrice unintentionally leaned further into Tobias's body with the request to meet his sister. Both Tobias and Beatrice felt the immediate spark that flew through them and quickly distanced themselves again, Beatrice still keeping her hand gentle around Tobias's arm.
Tobias looked down at Beatrice as she looked up into his eyes. "I'd like that very much," she replied before they continued walking quietly back to the home.
Mr. Eaton gave Victoria a hand to guide her onto the carriage steps. Then Tobias turned to assist Beatrice as Arman took the steps himself. When Beatrice had sat, Tobias appeared at the door.
"I hope that we shall see each other soon," he nodded to Beatrice. "Good day Mr. Wright, Mrs. Wright," he nodded. And with one final turn he faced Beatrice. "Good day Miss Beatrice," he smiled.