I do not own Divergent or Pride and Prejudice. Credit belongs to Veronica Roth and Jane Austen...
It was only my idea to combine the two and place the characters into their respective places.
Beatrice was having a wonderful time in this part of the Country. It was quiet, relaxing, and everything agreeable. They had been invited to dine at Dauntless at least on two more occasions, one night after the other. Both nights as Mr. Eaton walked her back to her carriage with her Aunt and Uncle she could not help but feel a deeper understanding for him grow. At least that's what she deduced her feelings to, understanding.
Tobias requested that the following day if he could accompany them out to dinner, perhaps at the Inn where they were staying. There had been something of great importance he wanted to speak to Miss Prior about.
"I do not see why not," Uncle Arman smiled. "We shall see you tomorrow afternoon then."
"Thank you, Mr. Wright," Tobias bowed. "Mrs. Wright. Miss Beatrice," he turned to Beatrice, smiled, and helped her into the carriage.
The following day just as Mr. Eaton arrived for dinner, Beatrice received a letter from Shauna.
"Would you mind if I join you all after I finish reading my letter," Beatrice asked.
"Of course not," Aunt Victoria smiled. "I am sure you wish to hear from your sister. We will simply head down to reserve a table and have the attendant call for you in a few minutes. Mr. Eaton?"
"I will not object," Tobias smiled at Beatrice and bowed.
"Thank you," Beatrice replied before Tobias left the room with Uncle Arman and Aunt Victoria.
Beatrice sat back down in their waiting room and opened the letter quickly. They had been there for a while and she had not heard back from Shauna in that entire time. She wanted to write to her elder sister to inform her of dinner at Dauntless but Beatrice decided to wait to hear from Shauna first. There was so much to tell Shauna. She would also inform Shauna that she had seen Mr. Pedrad but the contents in the letter would not allow any happy thoughts.
Dear Beatrice
Forgive me for not writing sooner. Be assured that everything in Abnegation is quite fine as can be. Things are quiet and routine here. Please know that we all miss you dearly, our father the most. He often keeps to his study as always and mother has once again been set with her nerves. There is nothing out of the ordinary here.
Beatrice smiled at that. It was when reading the next paragraph that Beatrice noted that the writing style had changed. This was still Shauna's writing but the penmanship seemed to be agitated.
My dearest Tris, since starting this letter something has occurred of a most unexpected and serious nature. Do not be alarmed, we are all well. What I have to say relates to poor Lauren. An express came late last night from Colonel Maxter to inform us that Lauren had run away with one of his officers; to own the truth, with Eric Wickham! At first he thought that they were going to elope. Our poor mother is sadly grieved at a wedding taking place so far. However, this information only gets worst from here.
Imprudent as a marriage between Lauren and Eric would be, we have also found out that it did not take place. Eric never intended to marry Lauren at all. Lieutenant Edward stated to Colonel Maxter that it was understood that Eric was to deceive Lauren into an engagement and then leave her. It was in that instant that Colonel Maxter set out to search for them. They were traced as far as Amity but there has been no other sign of them anywhere.
Colonel Maxter stated that Eric knew which carriages to take so as to elude them. Our father and mother believe the worst but I do not want to think so ill of Mr. Wickham. Colonel Maxter said that he feared Eric was not a man to be trusted. Father has left this past hour to search for them. I am writing to hurry your return to Abnegation and perhaps solicit the assistance of our dear Uncle.
"Yes," Beatrice yelled. "Oh! Where is my uncle?"
Just then Tobias entered into the room. "We had been waiting for your..." Tobias stopped and took in Beatrice's appearance. Tears flooded her eyes and her face looked pale with fright. "Good God, what is the matter," Tobias cried with concern for Beatrice.
"I have to find my Uncle," Beatrice stood to walk but her knees gave way and she collapsed into Tobias's arms.
Tobias gently pulled her up and back into the chair. "You are not well enough. You cannot go yourself. I will call the servant girl to go after Mr. Wright."
Beatrice hesitated but did as Tobias said. He went to the door and quickly called for a maidservant to fetch Mr. and Mrs. Wright. Beatrice tried to compose herself during this time and found it quite difficult to restrain her tears. Her youngest sister had left all friends that she had known and thrown herself into the power of Mr. Eric Wickham. Beatrice recalled all the information that Tobias informed her of Mr. Wickham and could not bear to think of what he was doing to poor Lauren.
Tobias returned and sat down in a chair across from Beatrice. He reached out to take her hand in his, a comforting gesture and one that Beatrice was pleased with.
"Is there nothing you could take to give you present relief? A glass of wine perhaps, shall I get you one? Indeed you look very ill."
Beatrice looked up to see the concern in his look as his eyes studied her. "No, I thank you. There is nothing the matter with me. I am quite well. I," Beatrice paused and looked down. "I just received some dreadful news from Shauna."
Tobias held her hand for a moment longer in silence as they both sat there. Soon her Uncle and Aunt came in and Beatrice could contain herself no longer. She burst into tears as she began to relate the story.
"There is no sense in concealing the news any longer," Beatrice cried. "My youngest sister, Lauren has eloped, has thrown herself into the arms of Mr. Eric Wickham," she turned from her Aunt and Uncle to look at Tobias. "You know him too well to doubt the rest."
Tobias's hold on Beatrice's hand tightened. He did know what could happen.
"Lauren has no money, no connections, nothing that can tempt him to marry her after such a..." Beatrice looked up to her Uncle. "I fear that she is lost forever. When I consider that I might have prevented it. I, who knew what he was, could have stopped this. Had his character been made known, this could not have happened."
"This is a grievous situation indeed," stated Uncle Arman as Aunt Victoria looked just as shocked and pale as Beatrice. "Is it certain, absolutely certain?"
"They left Brighton together and have been traced as far as Amity, but they are in hiding," Beatrice answered.
"And what has been done, what has been attempted to recover her," Tobias asked.
"My father has gone to Amity and Shauna writes to beg for my Uncle's assistance," Beatrice replied.
"Then we shall leave as soon as," Uncle Arman stated. "We need to find Lauren before she ruins the reputation of the family." Uncle Arman kissed Aunt Victoria before he called for one of the servants to get their carriage ready at this moment.
Tobias quickly stood up with a blank expression releasing Beatrice's hand and causing alarm in that moment.
"I believe you have long desired my absence," Tobias stated as he looked off to the wall behind Beatrice. "I'm afraid that this unfortunate affair will prevent my sister's having the pleasure of seeing you at Dauntless again." Beatrice took in what he stated and looked down. "I offer my sincerest apologies to you and your family. Be assured that I hope things will work themselves out for you all."
Beatrice could not help but notice the seriousness in his nature. He had returned to the one she first met in Abnegation. She stood up to curtsy but he had quickly left the room. She felt a tug at her heart as left and immediately condemned herself in that moment. It was not because of the immediate distress of her youngest sister's situation.
The humiliation, the misery that Lauren was bringing on them all by her act of immoral conduct and behavior was all too evident now. As Beatrice walked to the window to see Tobias enter into his carriage and leave she ignored the pleas of her Aunt to begin packing.
Beatrice stood there reflecting over the whole of their acquaintance, so full of contradictions and misjudgments. She detested showing partiality to Mr. Wickham and believing his story so readily about Mr. Eaton. She remembered Mr. Eaton's letter stating the lack of impropriety amongst her sisters and felt that he had been so correct on the matter.
At first everything was a shock. Mr. Eric Wickham attempted to marry girls for their money and Lauren was attracted to several of the other officers. But now it was all too natural, too real. While the regiment was in Abnegation, many officers were Lauren's favorites. Her affections had continually been fluctuating. Lauren's character was not like that of Shauna or Beatrice or even Myra. Their father was absent in censuring Lauren and their mother only encouraged her wild behavior further. Lauren was the type of young women who would fall easy prey to any predatory, lust driven male like Mr. Eric Wickham.
And now with a younger sister like Lauren, there would be no way that Mr. Eaton or any respectable man would ever renew addresses or affections to Shauna or Beatrice. She did not say it out loud or admit it to herself in her head but she had fallen in love with Mr. Eaton these past couple days.
"I fear I shall never see Tobias again," Beatrice sighed as another tear rolled down her cheek.