I do not own Divergent. Credit goes to Veronica Roth.
I do not own Pride and Prejudice. Credit goes to Jane Austen.
"Engaged to Mr. Eaton," Shauna proclaimed.
It had been a most wonderful lunch and dinner at Netherfield and upon returning back to their home Beatrice quickly communicated everything to her eldest sister as to the purpose of why Mr. Eaton had requested to speak with their father alone.
"Yes," Beatrice smiled. "He is still very much in love with me and we are engaged."
"I do not understand this Tris. I did not think you fancied him," Shauna said as Tobias and Mr. Prior had disappeared into the other room.
"Perhaps not at first," Beatrice titled her head. "There is no doubt now of my feelings for him."
"Are you truly in love with him, Tris? Can you truly bring yourself to marry him?"
"My feelings have been coming on so gradually I do not know when for certain I fell in love with him," Beatrice turned to Shauna. "But I am in with Mr. Eaton, Shauna. And we've discussed the past so openly and now I feel like we are the happiest couple in the world."
"Then I am happy for you," Shauna hugged her sister. "Now you will be as happy as me," Shauna pulled away and took her sister's hands in hers as they shared a moment of bliss at their situation.
It was interrupted by the entrance of her mother and sisters into the parlor.
"Good heavens! What does Mr. Eaton mean by coming here so late at night," cried Mrs. Prior.
Beatrice unable to listen to her mother's pleas, had went to wait by her father's study impatiently pacing back and forth as her sisters and mother took in the scene that was unfolding between them. Shauna quickly related Beatrice's confession.
"I do not believe it," Christina said.
"I thought she didn't like him," added Mrs. Prior.
"I guess we were wrong," Shauna replied. Despite her shock, Shauna held a big smile in place and happily looked at her sister waiting anxiously for their father and Mr. Eaton to emerge from behind the closed door. "Then again," Shauna let out a small laugh. "It would not be the first time for our Tris to do something like this."
Natalie looked at her eldest daughter for a second and then turned back to see Beatrice smiling, biting at her bottom lip, and jumping excitedly.
"No I suppose it would not," Natalie smiled.
Beatrice was a mixture of emotions. What if her father was to oppose Mr. Eaton? Even if he did not, Beatrice knew that her father would be upset. Although Andrew Prior did not admit it so, Beatrice was his favorite daughter. They were awfully quiet in there and she fought the urge to press herself up against the door to hear better of their conversation.
"Tris," Shauna said coming to that part of the hallway. "Come and sit with us for a bit."
"I cannot. I feel so utterly anxious and desperate at the moment."
Shauna gave her sister a comforting smile and eased her away from the door. The women sat in silence in the parlor until Tobias entered calmly. Quickly his eyes met Beatrice and he offered her an easy smile which sent a wave of relief through her.
"Your father wishes to speak with you," Tobias informed before escorting her to her father's library. "I shall wait outside," he whispered.
"Come inside Beatrice," Mr. Prior called for his daughter, having heard her and Mr. Eaton walking down the hallway.
Beatrice opened the slightly ajar door and walked in. As if sensing something pulling at her to return, Beatrice turned to look back at Tobias.
"Hurry now, child," Andrew called once.
Beatrice and Tobias stared at one another, her heart beating wildly in her chest and a gentle smile gracing both of their lips as she closed the door behind her and turned to face her father.
"Are you out of your senses, Tris," questioned Mr. Prior. "He is rich to be sure. You will have twice as many fine clothes and carriages as Shauna but will that be enough to make you happy? I know how you dislike him. I know that you view him as a nuisance and yet here you are willing to subject yourself to him for what reason?"
"Do you have any other objection to him besides your thought of my indifference," asked Beatrice for she was determined to stand strong.
"No," Andrew shook his head. "I have given him my consent. But I would really wish to leave the matter in your hands Beatrice. I cannot bear to see you so unhappy in your marriage. I know that you would not find joy if you are unable to respect your partner no matter how rich he may be. Of course is a proud sort of a fellow but this would mean nothing if you liked him."
"I do," Beatrice replied. "I do like him. I love him, Papa."
"You do love him," Andrew lifted an eyebrow at her as he sat down in his chair studying his daughter. Mr. Prior did not want to grieve for Beatrice. Her lively character, wit, and courage would die if she subjected herself to such a marriage.
Beatrice smiled unaffected by her father's questioning gaze. It was now that she more than determined as ever.
"I do love him. He may have been proud at first but he truly is amiable. You see," Beatrice let out a small laugh not just about her herself but also about Tobias.
"He and I are so similar. We are both stubborn beings. I have grown to know him and he has come to know me. We have tested each other, through our experiences during this course of many months and I have come to not only hear of, but see and feel his good qualities. We have both seen the faults and the goodness the other has to offer. And now I cannot see anyone else other than he that I want to be with."
Andrew could truly now see the assurance and resolve in his daughter. Beatrice was always more forward in her feelings with him and to address her concern for Mr. Eaton helped him to see reason.
"I can see that you love him greatly," Andrew smiled and took his daughter's hand.
"Papa, I do. If only you know what he has done, not just for me but for all of us, then you would see the type of gentleman he is."
"What has he done," Andrew asked.
Beatrice let out a sigh, knowing that Tobias would not mind but still wondering how best to inform her father. "Mr. Eaton is the one who discovered Eric and Lauren, made up their match, gave the money, paid Eric's debts and got him his commission."
Mr. Prior took in his daughter's news with astonishment before standing up quickly and walking to the door. "I must thank him, repay him or something."
Quickly Beatrice went to interrupt her father. "No," she shook her head. "He wouldn't want it anyway."
At that statement Andrew stopped and considered his daughter. "No," he agreed. Then with a chuckle he finished: "No doubt he did everything in his power to do so and did it because of his love for you," Andrew realized.
"He does love me, Papa."
Both Andrew and Beatrice came close to shedding a tear. Mr. Prior never would have thought he would have seen his dearest Tris so happy with any young man. "I believe," Mr. Prior cleared his throat. "That there is a young man out there waiting for you, Tris," he kissed her forehead. "I could not have parted with you, my Tris, to anyone less worthy."
Beatrice kissed her father on the cheek and ran out the door, disregarding a moment of impropriety as she jumped into Tobias' arms.
Andrew could not help but chuckle. "If any young men come for Myra or Christina," he shouted to the house. "Send them in," he chuckled.