I do not own Divergent or Pride and Prejudice. Credit goes to Veronica Roth and Jane Austen.
The fated day had arrived when Mr. Pedrad had come back into Abnegation. Mrs. Prior was beside herself although she declared that she did not care whether the man was here or not. She did think it absurd that her husband not go and call on him.
"You promised me last time he came to town that if I visited him, he would marry one of my daughters. It all came to nothing and I will not be sent on a fool's errand again," Andrew declared before leaving the breakfast table.
"Our mother means well," Shauna said after her and Beatrice had also quit from the table.
"I wish I could say something to comfort you," replied Beatrice.
"Take care, Tris," Shauna patted her arm as they walked. "I know I do not seem like it but I shall be happy once he leaves Netherfield."
The same morning while at Netherfield, Tobias and Ezekiel had just come in from a small hunting expedition. They were sat at the very table where Tobias had encouraged Ezekiel to leave Abnegation and forget about the sweet Miss Shauna Prior.
Ezekiel could sense his friend's uneasiness. "Come now Eaton," Ezekiel cleared his throat. "You had a good shot this morning."
"I missed," Tobias commented.
Ezekiel let out a chuckle. "You are too serious this morning. Is it because we are in this part of the Country?"
"I must confess something to you Pedrad."
There was a serious tone in Tobias' voice, one that his friend could not place. It almost seemed as though his friend was in pain. Tobias set down his glass and began to relate to Ezekiel his actions. After Tobias' confession, Ezekiel quickly stood and started to pace about the sitting room.
"You mean to tell me that she was in Erudite this whole time and you concealed it from me," Ezekiel questioned.
"I already stated it to you," Tobias replied calmly.
"Why did you do it?"
Tobias let out a sigh. "I can offer you no other explanation other than the fact that I misread her feelings for you. I thought her indifferent. It was wrong of me to interfere the way that I did, Pedrad. I was just hoping to spare you hurt feelings."
It was then that Tobias looked at Ezekiel a bit alarmed for now Ezekiel was wearing a huge grin.
"You admit that you were wrong?"
Tobias let out a chuckle. "It would certainly be the first time for that now, wouldn't it?"
"Yes it would," Ezekiel agreed. "So, I have your blessing then?"
"My blessing? Do you need it," Tobias asked.
"No," Ezekiel answered. "I am a man of twenty six and do not need to be told what to do. But I would like to know that I have your blessing, you are after all a very dear friend, Tobias."
"Well then," Tobias stood up. "Let's get this over with shall we?"
It was a quiet during the early afternoon when the Priors did receive a visitor.
Christina was the one to announce his arrival as she burst through the doors of the sitting room.
"He is here! He's outside right now!" Christina ran to the window with a huge smile on her face. "It is Shauna's Mr. Pedrad!"
Natalie was one of the first people on her feet.
"Mr. Pedrad," Mrs. Prior screamed. "Oh dear!"
The sitting room was not a mess but it was not presentable either. Beatrice and Shauna were the first to assist their mother before Myra soon followed.
"Who is that with him," Christina asked.
"I don't know," Natalie rushed over to Shauna and tried to pinch her cheeks and smooth out her dress. "It must be some acquaintance I suppose."
"Oh," Christina exclaimed obviously recognizing who it was now as she continued from her spot at the window. "It's that Mr. what's-his-name? You know that pompous, proud man..."
"Mr. Eaton," Natalie removed herself from Shauna's presence the same time as Beatrice's hand froze over cleaning up the contents on the table.
Tobias had come here as well. Beatrice did not think...
"Well, any friend of Mr. Pedrad's is welcome here but I must say that I hate the sight of him," Natalia stated from the window next to Christina.
Now both sisters were uncomfortable as it was when they heard a knock at the door. Natalie hurried to make her daughters sit and ensure that they looked as though they were occupying themselves with some sort of useful employment.
When the attendant had arrived to introduce the gentlemen, Mrs. Prior was the first to walk over as Mr. Pedrad entered the sitting room.
"Mr. Pedrad, how good of you to visit us," Natalie stated and motioned over for Mr. Pedrad to sit. "And Mr. Eaton," Natalie eyed him out. "I suppose you are welcome as well."
Beatrice could not hide the embarrassment from her face. At the same time I saw that Tobias seemed impassive about her mother's snide comment.
"Mr. Prior would have called," Natalie went on.
Mrs. Prior continued to relate her apologies on not visiting Mr. Pedrad earlier but was somewhat busy. Her continued conversation was leaving both her daughters even further uncomfortable.
"How have you been Mr. Eaton?"
Tobias knew that voice all too well. "I am well, Miss Beatrice," his head bowed to her.
"I hope the weather stays fine for your sport," Beatrice commented.
"I must leave tomorrow," Tobias answered.
"Tomorrow?" Beatrice felt a slight ache at his sudden departure. "So soon," Beatrice's voice said quietly. Tobias regarded her for a moment. There was so much he wanted to tell her but could not for he came here for his friend. Tobias had to make things right.
"Well I hope that you are not leaving tomorrow as well, Mr. Pedrad," commented Mrs. Prior.
"I am hoping that my stay will last for some months," Ezekiel replied as his eyes looked over to Shauna. Shauna was looking down at something in her hands for fear that one look into Ezekiel's eyes would betray her. "Although it is not certain yet, my plans are at the mercies of another."
"My daughter Shauna looks well does she not?"
If Beatrice did not know her mother she would have wondered what would have possessed her to say such a thing. However it was just like Mrs. Prior to be straightforward like that. At this Shauna did finally give in and looked over to see Ezekiel staring at her as he had been throughout the whole of Mrs. Prior's ranting.
"She does indeed," Ezekiel replied with a small smile barely audible. There was no doubt that he truly did miss Shauna. Being caught staring at her longingly had set nervousness upon Ezekiel that he did not think he had. "Well," the young man stood up abruptly. "I think we must be going then."
Mr. Pedrad made his way to the door.
"Eaton," Ezekiel called out to his friend.
"To return immediately," said Natalie standing up. "The last time you were in town you promised a family dinner with us here. I have not forgotten."
"Of course," Ezekiel turned to bow. "Good day to you all."
With that he quickly left. Tobias wondered what had happened but bowed politely and then went after his friend.
"Well," said Mrs. Prior. "That was awkward."
Shauna stayed in her seat looking almost defeated. Beatrice wanted to run after the gentlemen but decided against it and went to sit by her sister instead.
"I am not affected, dear Tris," Shauna said to her sister.
"I think you are."
"We are just indifferent acquaintances."
"No," Beatrice shook her head. "I believe that he is very much in love with you as he ever was before."
"He's here," cried out Christina. Now he was returning? Whatever did this all mean? "He's come back."
It was not long until Ezekiel had come back into the sitting room, this time without Mr. Eaton.
"Forgive me for all this intrusion," Ezekiel said somewhat flustered. All the Prior women looked at him in awe. "May I request to speak to Miss Shauna Prior," Ezekiel said looking at her. "Alone."