I do not own Divergent and Pride and Prejudice. Credit goes to Veronica Roth and Jane Austen.
I do not own Divergent and Pride and Prejudice. Credit goes to Veronica Roth and Jane Austen.
A few days after Lady Evelyn's visit, Mr. Pedrad finally returned to Abnegation from his business trip and brought back with him none other than Mr. Tobias Eaton. Early during the day Ezekiel set out to visit Shauna, missing her presence dearly.
"Mr. Pedrad," Shauna curtsied and smiled when Ezekiel and Tobias came to their home.
"It is a beautiful day out. I thought you and I could have a picnic at Netherfield," Ezekiel offered.
"Of course," Shauna smiled. "You did not need to come all this way. I would not have minded if you sent a carriage to call for me."
"Nonsense," Ezekiel shook his head. "I could not bear the thought of you having to travel to Netherfield alone ever again."
They both shared a small smile remembering the time that Shauna did venture on horseback through the rain over to Netherfield. It was a time that Shauna had fell very ill and Ezekiel wanted to protect her from that again.
"May my sisters accompany me," Shauna asked.
"I would be delighted to have them," Ezekiel turned in the sitting room to see the three sisters smiling.
"As much as I would love, I do not desire to be out doors right now," Myra responded. "Thank you kindly though, sir."
"I," Christina smiled but stopped short of herself. Taking a quick glance over at Mr. Eaton standing there in all his emotionless state, Christina decided to decline. "I have promised to visit Lynn at the Black's residence this afternoon."
"Another time then," Ezekiel bowed to her. "What about you Miss Beatrice? Surely I know how you love the fine weather and wonderful gardens."
"I do," Beatrice said. "I'd love to go with you Shauna."
It was settled that Beatrice was going to travel with her sister that afternoon. It looked to everyone that she was merely going to chaperone her sister when in reality Beatrice was secretly forming a desperate attempt at a chance to communicate with Tobias. There was so much to speak about at the moment.
Both Ezekiel and Tobias rode on their respective horses back to Mr. Pedrad's home while Shauna and Beatrice set out in the carriage that Ezekiel had prepared for them.
Netherfield was as beautiful as Beatrice and Shauna remembered. The attendants received them politely. Conversation among the foursome revolved mostly around the welfare of Shauna and Ezekiel.
Ezekiel asked if Shauna desired to walk about the home that she would soon be mistress of. Shauna could not help but blush at the thought and sweetly surrendered to placing her hand around Ezekiel's arm.
Beatrice and Tobias decided to follow them but lagged behind so as to give Ezekiel and Shauna an extent to having their privacy. It was a time for the newly engaged couple to bond further on things such as their future home.
Now was the moment for Beatrice to speak up and while her courage was strong her eyesight fell from her sister and she turned to Tobias.
"Mr. Eaton, you must let me express to you gratitude that I and my family have for what you have done for my sisters, both Lauren and Shauna," Beatrice quickly said. Tobias stopped and looked down. "Since I had known what you have done I have been most eager to speak to you and express our gratitude."
"How did you come to know," Tobias asked emotionless.
"First off may I just state that my Aunt Victoria is not to blame in the matter. Lauren spoke of it first. Almost immediately I set out to discover its truth and now that I do know I want to thank you again and again on behalf of all my family members for your generosity."
"If you so desire to thank me let it be for yourself alone," Tobias looked up and into Beatrice's eyes. "Much as I respect your family, I did what I did for you."
Beatrice looked away quickly making her heart speed up.
Tobias took a step closer. "Honestly Miss Prior you are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still the same as they were last year, tell me so at once. My feelings and intentions for you have not changed at all." A strong wave of confidence, determination, and bravery pushed through Tobias as a hand reached out and lifted Beatrice's face to look up at him. "One word from you will silence me forever on the subject. Please tell me your feelings."
Beatrice was overcome with so many emotions at this moment but she knew for a certainty now and there would be no more denial.
"My feelings for you have changed Mr. Eaton," Beatrice smiled and then looked away. "I always thought that nothing but the deepest regard I had for someone would induce me into matrimony." Beatrice took a step closer and reached out for Tobias's hand. "I have come to know that I hold you in very high esteem. My regard for you is deeper than I ever thought possible."
"Beatrice," Tobias whispered with a small smile on his face tightening his grip on Beatrice's hand.
"Tobias," Beatrice mumbled back.
"I am serious."
"So am I," Beatrice looked up to him.
"If I were to renew my addresses to you," Tobias pulled back just a little to look at her. "What would your response be?"
"Ask and you shall see," teased Beatrice.
"You taught me a hard but most advantageous lesson. It was by your response to my first proposal that left me properly humbled. I arrogantly thought you would receive me. Yet you showed me how insufficient I truly was at pleasing a woman such as yourself that is so worthy of being pleased."
"Forgive me for that evening, truly," Beatrice remembered that night that Tobias proposed and she slandered everything about him. "You must have hated me."
"Hated you," Tobias exclaimed in disbelief. "I was angry at first but it gradually went away when I came face to face with the true nature of what you accused me of."
"Please, you do not need to repeat it."
"Of course I do," Tobias smiled. "It is because of that moment that I set about in showing you by every civility in my power that I was not as mean as you had thought me. I hoped to obtain your forgiveness, to lesson your ill opinion of me."
Tobias then spoke of Marlene's delight in meeting Beatrice and her disappointment of the sudden departure. There was talk about the letter that he had written her about Eric and their past dealings with one another. Beatrice confided that she was left uncertain of her feelings for both men until examining as well the true nature of Tobias' actions.
Beatrice continued to thank Tobias for searching for Lauren and assisting her family in everything. She even felt that he helped Ezekiel to find Shauna once again. Tobias informed that he had confessed to Ezekiel of what he had done in Erudite. They spoke of the visit from his Aunt, Lady Evelyn. And it was then that Tobias could no longer take it.
"I do not think I can spare to be away from you again, my dearest Beatrice," Tobias turned to her. "I renew the addresses of my affection and deep respect. I have come to truly care about you and do not desire to spend any further time separate from you. Please, say that you'll marry me," Tobias finished the last sentence as a whisper as he took Beatrice's hand in his and held it firmly against his chest.