I do not own Divergent. Credit goes to Veronica Roth.
I do not own Pride and Prejudice. Credit goes to Jane Austen.
Tobias and Beatrice did not talk that evening. Both with wounded prides and hurt feelings they slept separately for the first time since they had gotten married two months ago. Despite both having apologized the couple was still upset. Marlene did her best that night not to interfere but she did not enjoy seeing both her sister in law and her brother in such distress.
"Go to him," she encouraged Beatrice.
"I am not going to give in that easily," Beatrice folded her arms across her chest as she got ready for bed.
With high hopes Marlene went to the room where her brother would be that night. All of Marlene's pleas for her brother to soften his heart towards his wife did not move him from his spot.
"You both are a stubborn pair," Marlene stood from the room. "It is how I know the two of you were made for one another."
As Tobias slept in one of the guest rooms he could not help but notice not just how the bed felt empty, but the room itself. Dauntless did not feel the same without having Beatrice there with him. He had got on some six and twenty years before without her. Now though there seemed to be nothing else in the world that fit in perfectly with him except his 'dearest Tris'.
Sleep did not come to Beatrice as well. It was in both of their characters to hold their ground and not be determined to submit. However as the night went on Beatrice's spirit to fight her husband on the matter had simmered from a flame to smoke.
Tobias had understood the need for Beatrice to help her youngest sister. It was in Beatrice's personality to care for the needs of her family above her own. Thinking back to that moment he realized that Beatrice could have listened to Lauren and never mentioned the request for financial care to him. Lauren had suggested keeping it from him but Beatrice words hug on his heart. They were husband and wife now. His wife held no desire to keep secrets from him. That caused him to sigh deeply as he looked over to the empty spot next to him.
Beatrice got up and walked over to the window. Even though she knew the truth in her husband's words about her youngest sister, remembering the pain and distress Lauren caused the family by it had bought back those overwhelming feelings of uncertainty, conflict, and displeasure. It was through Tobias's hands that they were able to move forward from that most terrible circumstance.
There was no ungratefulness in Beatrice's comments towards Tobias earlier. She strongly believed that she had shown herself most appreciative of all that he had done. What was one more action of civility and responsibility towards Lauren? It was just one act of kindness was it not? It probably would not be, Beatrice concluded as she closed her eyes. She knew Lauren's temper and the Prior family had full knowledge that Eric was a greedy spender indeed.
Perhaps there could be an alternative. For now both husband and wife continued to think deeply on the matter, on the words that were said and about the affection they felt for one another long into the night.
When morning had come neither looked ready to face the day. Marlene did her utmost to ignore the couple, hoping that her lack of attention would cause the two of them to come together or seek one another out eventually.
However Tobias kept to his study and Beatrice kept to her sitting parlor overlooking the lake.
"What am I to do," Marlene asked Christina.
"Tris is not one to forfeit easily. It will be a long battle for them both," Christina answered.
"That is what I am afraid of. Tobias is proud. I hardly doubt he would go begging for mercy," Marlene added.
"That is true," agreed Christina.
To their shock, one member of the party they were conversing about left their room and made their way down towards where the other happened to be. Tobias knocked softly on Beatrice's sitting room door before he heard a gentle issuance to enter. Upon seeing her husband's face Beatrice felt her pride slip and ran to meet him. Tobias's eyes softened as his arms wrapped around his wife and buried her in his warmth.
"Forgive me," Tobias whispered. "I have never been so foolish in my life."
"So was I," Beatrice replied pulling back. "I never meant what I said about Marlene."
"I know," Tobias nodded. "My words were uncalled for and my speech unforgivable. I should not have let it get to that point. Our feelings could have been spared if I had just kept my conceit and speech under control."
"I provoked it."
"Regardless, it was unreasonable for me to conduct myself in such a way, especially towards my wife. You understood enough to inform me of Lauren's request and your intentions to help her. I acted rashly when we should have decided on the matter together," Tobias kissed Beatrice's forehead. "I apologize."
"I accept as long as you forgive me my transgressions."
Tobias smiled as did Beatrice. "I can never stay mad at you for long, my dearest Tris."
The pair had decided to allow Lauren to travel up to Dauntless for a brief visit. It would give her time away from the society that she was keeping. And upon leaving she would be given something small and modest. Beatrice and Tobias had settled on the decision that Mr. Wickham was no longer welcomed at Dauntless and were firm in their invitation to be only towards Lauren.
Lauren accepted immediately and had come quickly to visit with not just Beatrice but also Shauna. It was revealed in the visit that Eric had started to display indifference towards his young wife. Lauren had hoped to stir his affection for her and therefore explained her reasons for setting out to request assistance. Eric did not want to bring himself to ask Tobias for anything but said that if it was through Lauren asking Beatrice then all would go well.
Though Shauna and Beatrice displayed a slight ache for their youngest sister at having the affection grow stale in her marriage, they both knew that there wasn't really love to begin with. Lauren was the least affected by it. Her youth and character showed her as an outgoing young lady when introduced around in society there.
"Christina," Lauren said one day at dinner before she departed her sister's company. "Would you like to visit with Eric and me?"
Beatrice looked over to Lauren about to answer but to everyone's shock Christina declined. "I will finish my visit here and with Shauna. I am needed at home by Mother."
"Of course," Lauren looked sadly down at the table but brightened up.
Christina had made some improvement while being with Beatrice. She had spent a week with Shauna while Lauren had come down. Then they both had stayed with Shauna and Ezekiel. However, even Ezekiel's pleasing attitude had its limits and he requested that it was time for young Lauren to return home to her husband.
"Thank you," Beatrice took Tobias's hand in hers when Lauren had left them.
"You are most welcome," Tobias kissed his wife. "I must be frank with you my dear."
"I know," Beatrice answered quickly.
"You know?"
"Lauren will continue to ask for assistance. Although I love her, you are right. It was a decision that she had made. I will assist her if possible but not with every little thing. I shall see you before making a decision. We are partners now," Beatrice smiled before kissing her husband back. "I love you Mr. Eaton."
"And I love you Mrs. Eaton."
