I do not own Divergent. Credit goes to Veronica Roth.
I do not own Pride and Prejudice. Credit goes to Jane Austen.
Eric was smart enough not to bring up the discussion he had with Beatrice any further. Beatrice on her part had behaved as though the conversation did not happen, truly hoping for the day that her sister would leave with her new husband.
The days continued on as Eric charmed his way around the household. Mrs. Prior enjoyed the flattery that her son in law would grace her with, always complimenting the cooking, and the gardens, mostly anything that he could to make the woman smile.
Mr. Prior on the other hand was a hard one to break and would simply sit there and read over his newspaper.
When the joyous day did arrive for their departure, Beatrice could not help but also fear for her sister's future life with this man. Would Eric treat Lauren well? Could Eric behave? Could Lauren behave?
"Goodbye my sister."
Beatrice turned around and offered Eric no smile. "I better not hear of you mistreating Lauren."
Eric bowed and quickly retreated outside to continue his flattery with the rest of her family. Beatrice was smarter now. She would not buy in to any further flattery from the likes of Mr. Eric Wickham.
Despite all her feelings towards the man now she went out to see her sister off.
"When shall we see you again," cried Mrs. Prior to Lauren.
"I do not know. Not these two or three years, perhaps."
"Two or three years," exclaimed Natalie in all her despair. "Write to me very often, my dear."
"As often as I can. But you know married woman do not have time for writing. My sisters may write to me. They will have nothing else to do," Lauren teased and smiled graciously.
Mr. Wickham was more affectionate in his farewells than his wife. Eric smiled and said many pretty things. Beatrice could not help but shake her head a little at his continued flattery towards her family. No matter what he said or did it would not take away the cruel disaster that could have been.
They waved from their carriage as they turned down the lane and Beatrice turned to head back into the house wondering where her father had disappeared off to. She found him soon enough in his study.
"They are gone," Beatrice let out a sigh of relief.
"Is that what you ought to say about your brother in law, dear Tris," said Andrew.
"You enjoyed him father?"
"Enjoyed him, hardly," Mr. Prior shook his head while letting out a chuckle. "However he is a fine fellow as I have ever seen. He smiles and makes love to us all with his flattery. I dare even Sir Robert Black to produce such a son law."
Both daughter and father shared a good natured laugh.
Mrs. Prior was quite put out at having her youngest daughter leave.
"I am so forlorn without my dearest Lauren here with me," Natalie said the evening that Lauren had departed.
"That is the result of having a daughter married, Mama," confirmed Beatrice. "I fear if you should act that way when we all disappear then it better that we not marry at all."
"Oh heaven," cried Natalie. "Why do you tease me so, daughter?"
Beatrice could not help but laugh at her mother.
It had grown quiet around the house after Lauren had gone to the North with her husband, Eric. Beatrice continued to read and walk with Shauna out among the gardens. It seemed that Shauna was improving in her state of sadness. She hardly mentioned Mr. Ezekiel Pedrad and that was a comfort to Beatrice that her sister was indeed learning to become herself again.
Christina had been busying herself with ribbons, bonnets, and dresses. Because there was no Lauren to indulge in Christina's fancies, she would often find herself reading and learning music with Myra.
About a few days had gone by when Mr. Prior finally allowed Christina to go with her mother and sisters to town.
"Mrs. Prior," called out Lady Black when they had arrived in town.
"Lady Black," Natalie along with her daughters curtsied to Lady Black and her daughter Lynn.
"Have you not heard, Mrs. Prior? A servant came down from Netherfield early this morning and made a huge order," Lady Black explained.
Beatrice turned to Shauna quickly at the news of Netherfield.
"Mr. Pedrad is coming down with a small hunting party in a matter of days," Lynn added.
"Mr. Pedrad," exclaimed Natalie. Quickly she composed herself. "I don't know why you thought we needed to know. It's nothing that we care about, don't you think so Shauna?"
Shauna just politely smiled at Lady Black and Lynn.
"Thank you for letting us know though, Lady Black," Natalie curtsied and went to depart.
"Is it most certain," asked Beatrice making their party stop.
"Yes," Lynn answered. "We had just happened upon his head stewardess and she confirmed it."
"As I said though," Natalie cleared her throat. "It is nothing to us."
The ladies quickly left each other's company and went to their respective homes.
"I saw you look at me today, Tris, when Lady Black mentioned to us about Netherfield," Shauna said before they got ready to eat dinner. "I was only confused for the moment but I assure you that the news does not affect me."
"After all why can't the poor man visit a house that he has legally purchased without all this speculation," thought Beatrice.
"Yes, exactly and he is coming here without any ladies," Shauna noted.
"It is a hunting party," Beatrice added.
"Then we shall see less of him. Not that I am afraid of myself," Shauna confirmed. "I just despise people's remarks on the matter."
Beatrice could not help but think that her sister was indeed affected by the arrival of Mr. Pedrad. Despite Shauna's declarations, Beatrice could see a slight disturbance about her daily routine. Shauna politely smiled at dinner when Mrs. Prior related the story to Mr. Prior looking unaffected. However, the memory of Shauna crying when Mr. Ezekiel Pedrad did quit their company was all too fresh and she for a certain that Shauna was hoping to see Mr. Pedrad once again.