I do not own Divergent. Credit goes to Veronica Roth.
I do not own Pride and Prejudice. Credit goes to Jane Austen.
The idea to put the two together belongs to me.
That evening Beatrice, her Aunt and her Uncle had dinner with Mr. Eaton and his other guests. Marlene displayed the same amount of enthusiasm when Beatrice had arrived. Dinner conversation was light, Marlene keeping Beatrice occupied.
Beatrice could not help but notice Caraline's apparent disdain to have the other young lady the subject of attention. When dinner had concluded they were all directed to the sitting room for further conversation. Mr. Pedrad took up to speaking with Aunt Victoria. She found him to be a gentle, amusing young man and could briefly see why her eldest niece, Shauna had traveled to Erudite in the hopes of seeing him.
"Mr. Eaton would you like another refill," Caraline tried to appease Mr. Eaton. However his eyes were locked upon the scene at the piano.
Marlene stood there insisting that Beatrice sing for them. She obliged in playing a tune, even played a duet with Marlene. However, she did not wish to slander over the delicate passage of the song even after all of Marlene's encouragement.
"I must say that this is a very beautiful instrument," Beatrice noted.
"My brother gave it to me," Marlene commented. "He is so good to me. I hardly do anything to deserve it."
"I'm sure that you are very deserving of every good gift. At least your brother believes so," Beatrice turned to see Tobias looking at them. A faint smile displayed upon his lips and Beatrice's heart stirred. "And as you know your brother is never wrong," Beatrice whispered to Marlene.
It did not matter since they were too far to be heard from anyone else. Marlene looked up from Beatrice and towards her brother to see that both Beatrice and Tobias were staring at one another in awe. She smiled at her brother.
"Now it is your turn," Beatrice stood up ending the look of admiration they both held for one another.
Marlene looked at her in pure shock. Did Marlene do something wrong? Did Tobias do something wrong? Where was Miss Beatrice going?
"I want to hear you play now, Miss Marlene," commented Beatrice.
"Oh, of course," Marlene smiled with relief as she sat down.
Beatrice went to get a small glass of wine, walking away from Marlene as she began to play. It was near the wine table that Caraline and Mrs. Hayes decided to stop and question Beatrice.
"Ah, Miss Bea," Caraline called out to her. "How are things in small and confined Abnegation?" Caraline then turned to Tobias who was sitting on another couch opposite her and lifted an eyebrow as if to continue her teasing of Abnegation.
"Things are quite well Miss Caraline. Thank you for asking," Beatrice smiled and poured her glass.
"I hear that the militia has left town. That must be a great loss to your family, don't you think Mr. Eaton," Caraline continued to press.
Beatrice knew where Caraline was going with this. She set her glass down and turned to her smiling sweetly. "We lose company every now and then. You were so kind as to relieve us of your company, yet we are enduring it very well."
Caraline and Molly both gasped in horror as Tobias along with Uncle Arman tried to hold a chuckle back at their shocked expressions.
Molly tapped her sister's hand in an attempt to wield the conversation to their liking. "We are saddened to hear that we are so sorely missed. However were we not talking about the company of a certain young gentlemen," Molly pressed Caraline.
Caraline composed herself and straighten her shoulders out. "That is correct my sister. We were implying that certain ladies found the society of Mr. Eric Wickham highly favorable."
Upon hearing Eric's name, Marlene stumbled on her piano playing and looked up to her brother. Eric was someone she trusted, someone whom her father had bestowed many gifts upon. Marlene had shown him peculiar attraction and thought he felt the same way. However she had been greatly misguided and used. There was no greater pain to her than that of unrequited love and a broken heart.
Tobias stood up immediately to hurry his sister to her room. Before he could Beatrice was right at Marlene's side, detracting away from the matter.
"Forgive me," Beatrice stated. "How could you play without someone to turn the pages?"
Beatrice bent down to turn the musical page to the next even though Marlene was not in need of that, she was grateful that Beatrice eased her feelings of despair.
"There we are," Beatrice smiled at her. "You play so beautiful Miss Marlene."
"Thank you," Marlene said out loud before pausing slightly. "I know that my brother told you," she said in a softer tone. "Thank you for being at my side as well."
Beatrice nodded. She felt the feeling of being looked upon and raised her eyes to see Tobias smiling gratefully at her. She gave him a nod and smile. Tobias and Beatrice shared another look of admiration for one another.
Tobias eyes held Beatrice with appreciation looking upon her with kindness and affection. Beatrice showed understanding and thoughtfulness for him. It was in this moment that she truly regretted ever doubting her prejudice against him.
After they had left that evening, Marlene decided to retire for the night and Tobias excused her.
Tobias and Ezekiel were about to sit in the room to converse alone. Tobias had felt a tinge of guilt from earlier that day and felt that if was to truly make amends with Beatrice, then he had to inform his dearest friend of his actions as well. However, that matter would have to wait. Caraline and her sister quickly entered the room.
"Brother, there you are," Caraline proclaimed and walked toward the gentlemen. "Molly and I were looking for you."
"You were," Ezekiel stated turning to her with a smile. He knew that his sister was attempting to win over Tobias as well.
"Yes, I had wished to speak to you about Miss Bea," Caraline sat down. "Molly and I were just saying how very ill Miss Prior looked this evening. Do you not think so Mr. Eaton?"
Ezekiel poured a glass of whiskey and handed it to Tobias as he poured himself another.
"She is perhaps a little tan," Tobias commented refusing to be baited. "That does happen when one travels during the summer."
"Well, I for one thought she looked grave indeed. I do recall her being a reputable beauty in Abnegation. I remember we all did not believe that. Yet," Caraline paused with mischief in her tone. "As for her eyes, which someone commented on them being 'fine'? I never saw any brilliance in them. I think there's something in her dress that is lacking that social air as well."
Ezekiel cleared his throat. "I think that Miss Beatrice is a pretty and spirited young woman. Her and her sister are indeed very..."
"Yes, Ezekiel we know what you think of them," Caraline interrupted them. "Did you too Mr. Eaton," Caraline continued to tease. "Did you even think that simpleton of a woman to be pretty at one point? I believe after much time you have come to see that there is nothing else worth examining on her."
Tobias gulped his drink down quickly and went to stand. "You're right," he acknowledged. "There was a time where I thought her only to be pretty. And over time my opinion did change."
"It did," Caraline smiled as did Molly.
"Yes," Tobias answered and turned to look at Caraline with all seriousness. "Now I think her to be the handsomest woman in all of my acquaintance and everything about her is far worthier of examination than any young lady I know."
Caraline stood there in shock and almost let out a cry of distress. Ezekiel let out an even chuckle as Tobias turned to him.
"Forgive me, Pedrad. We will have our conversation tomorrow."
Ezekiel nodded, lifting his glass at Tobias before Tobias left the room and had also retired for the night. What he had said to Caraline was more than just to silence her. Tobias feelings and admiration had only grown deeper for Beatrice over time. He was simply making them known.