I do not own Divergent. Credit goes to Veronica Roth.
I do not own Pride and Prejudice. Credit goes to Jane Austen.
A couple days after their visit to Dauntless, Beatrice received an invitation for lunch. Miss Marlene Eaton had just arrived into town and was eager to meet Miss Beatrice. A carriage was called for Miss Beatrice to go to a luncheon. Upon arriving she noted that only Mr. Tobias Eaton was standing in the field practicing some archery.
When she had stepped out, Tobias stopped his game and walked over to welcome Beatrice.
"Miss Beatrice," Tobias bowed.
"Mr. Eaton," Beatrice smiled. "Forgive me. I hope I have not kept you waiting."
"Not at all," Tobias answered. "The weather was fine out this morning so I decided to get a head start on shooting the bow. I find archery relieves the stress and anxieties of the day. Do you know the sport," Tobias asked.
Beatrice smiled. She did know the sport. In fact, she thought herself quite the proficient at it.
"Are you a good shot, Mr. Eaton," Beatrice smiled.
"I am tolerable at it," Tobias replied.
"Only tolerable," Beatrice teased.
"It is a fine sport and one that a young lady can become accomplished with, of course with a light bow and from a short range." Tobias placed the arrow in the light weight bow, pulled back and released. It hit one of the outer rims of the target as Tobias sighed. "What a bad shot," he declared.
"On the contrary, I think that was well done," Beatrice replied.
"I suppose you are correct. It might have been worst," Tobias smiled.
"True," Beatrice took the bow from him. "You did hit the target and that is still a fine accomplishment. I'm glad to see that you are taking a positive view of things."
"I am glad that you see the change," Tobias smiled.
Tobias positioned himself behind Beatrice and had her stand a certain way.
"Place the bow in the left hand," Tobias instructed her. Beatrice wanted to say that she knew how to play the sport, but allowed him to have his moment. "These three fingers like this, keep the arm straight," Tobias continued as moved Beatrice's hands and fingers over the bow. "You see the goal Miss Beatrice is to line up your arrow here," Tobias informed her. "And aim towards the bulls-eye."
Beatrice could not help but smile. She quickly placed the arrow in the bow, held it up quickly, aimed and released the arrow. The arrow hit the target almost dead center as Beatrice placed the bow down and looked over at Mr. Eaton.
"I see that I am the learner today," Tobias smiled at her.
Beatrice started to laugh. "Thank you for taking it so well. Most would be offended at the thought of a lady knowing a sport better than they."
"It was your intent to offend me?"
"Of course not," Beatrice smiled. "I'm finding that there is very little to offend now," she finished softly as both of their smiles faded.
Beatrice could not help but let this moment of silence consume them as she stared up into Mr. Eaton's eyes. They were captivating. Tobias was in awe at the same moment. He viewed her eyes to be fine before. However in this moment he found everything pleasing about Miss Beatrice. Her modest features finally did seem uncommonly pretty and satisfactory for him. Tobias hesitantly took a step forward.
"Miss Beatrice, I am still in..."
"Tobias!" Both of them took a step back and looked up the hill. Beatrice noticed a young lady hurrying towards them. "Forgive me," the young woman stopped in front of the two and curtsied.
"Miss Beatrice," Tobias cleared his throat. "I'd like to introduce my sister, Marlene. Marlene, this is Miss Beatrice Prior."
Marlene was indeed a beautiful young woman. Her blonde hair was lighter than Tobias's dark blonde. They shared the same eyes, Beatrice noted.
"It is very nice to meet you, Miss Marlene," Beatrice curtsied. "I have heard so much about you," Beatrice smiled.
"And I about you," Marlene replied with equal excitement as earlier.
"I believe Mr. Pedrad is up at the house," Tobias said turning to Beatrice. "I informed him that you were here and he desired very much to join us for lunch. Shall I go and retrieve him now?"
Beatrice smiled. "Oh please do. I desire to see Mr. Pedrad as well."
Tobias bowed and left the two young women. Beatrice smiled and led the way for her and Marlene to sit under a small shade on a stone bench in the field nearby.
"I hear that you enjoy music," Beatrice said. "And play very well."
"I do enjoy music," Marlene smiled. "I like to think that I play well. I should dearly love to hear you play. My brother has told me that he has heard nothing else that has brought him much pleasure before as your performance at the piano."
Beatrice held back a laugh. "I daresay your brother has grossly exaggerated my talents."
"That cannot be so," Marlene reached out and touched Beatrice's hand. "My brother never lies to me. He always tells me the truth. I believe that in that way he is too kind to me."
"An ideal older brother than," Beatrice stated.
"Oh yes," Marlene smiled and turned away. "I could not have asked for a kinder or a better brother in Tobias."
"I am quite envious. I have four sisters back at home," Beatrice shook her head.
"I would have longed to have a sister," Marlene responded. "Not that I am ungrateful for Tobias. There are things I believe that I could speak with only to another young woman." Marlene looked over at Beatrice and smiled warmly.
"You can be assured Miss Marlene that no matter what your brother loves you dearly," Beatrice took Marlene's hand in hers.
"Miss Beatrice." Another voice broke their moment. Beatrice and Marlene stood from their bench to see Mr. Pedrad coming down with Tobias. "You cannot believe the joy I felt when Eaton told me that you were staying at the Pier, not but ten minutes away from Dauntless. How do you do," he bowed towards Beatrice.
"Very well," Beatrice smiled as Marlene left her side and went to tell Tobias something.
"Good. And your parents are they doing well?"
"Yes."
"Pray tell me are all your sisters still in Abnegation," Mr. Pedrad asked as his smile disappeared. Ezekiel had heard that there were a couple marriages in Abnegation and had hoped that Shauna had not been one of them.
Beatrice was ready to assure him however. "All but one," she answered. "My youngest sister, Lauren is travelling with Colonel Maxter and his wife."
"Ah," Ezekiel released a sigh of relief and smiled brightly again. "It has been too long since we last spoke."
"I believe it has been a couple months," Beatrice replied.
"It has been eight months at least," Ezekiel proclaimed. "We have not met together since the 20th of November, when we were dancing together at Netherfield," he reminded. The date was so precious to him that Tobias realized then how much Ezekiel did miss seeing Miss Shauna Prior. "You know I do not believe there was a happier time in my life than the time I spent in Abnegation."
"Miss Beatrice," Marlene called for her. "My brother and I would like for you to join us for dinner as well. Would this evening be okay for you? Your Aunt and Uncle are welcomed also."
"Of course," Beatrice answered. "I believe we have no plans for this evening. My Aunt and Uncle would be delighted to come as well."
"Good," Marlene smiled. "Will you sing for us tonight?"
"I will play for you, but I only sing when forced," Beatrice stated.
"Brother," Marlene beamed and took Tobias's hand. "You must force her." Tobias could not help but feel that his sister was putting too much of an effort to bring he and Beatrice together and smiled at Marlene before looking away.