I do not own Divergent. Credit goes to Veronica Roth.
I do not own Pride and Prejudice. Credit goes to Jane Austen.
"May I call upon you tomorrow," Tobias asked as it was getting rather late in the evening.
Mr. Prior had allowed Tobias and Beatrice a small moment alone to say their farewells. He trusted Beatrice's judgment on the matter and knew that Tobias was truly a respectable young man.
"Yes," Beatrice smiled.
There were no words that could express how she felt in that precise moment. No doubt her mother and sisters were still waiting in the parlor for her return but she could not bring herself to part so soon from the man that she had come to love.
Everything that happened in the past between them seemed to drift away. It was not all forgotten but the expression of their deep regard for one another made their past faults in prejudice and pride bearable.
Mr. Eaton was not the type of man to be overcome with happiness, overflowing in quantity. However Beatrice could sense it with all manners that he was indeed ecstatic that she had said 'yes' and that they received her father's blessing. Tobias had once told her that without her, his days were filled with agony. And now here she was ready to end his torment. Could there be anything more blissful than this?
"Until tomorrow," Tobias whispered daring to press his lips to her cheek.
Beatrice's heart stilled as Tobias pulled away and after caressing her face with his face pulled back and bowed.
"Goodnight to you, dearest, loveliest Beatrice," Tobias said before walking from the house.
Beatrice watched as he got onto his horse and rode away. A storm full of emotions crashed upon her like a tidal wave and the joy that came along with it was overpowering. Her mind seemed relieved from a heavy weight at receiving her father's blessing. Beatrice let out another small laugh at her emotional state before turning into the house to find her mother.
There in the sitting room sat her sisters and her mother reading, sewing, or conversing lightly with one another. Upon entering a silence fell upon them and Beatrice did her best to keep her composure.
"If you do not know by now, Mr. Tobias Eaton has asked to marry me, Father has given his consent, and he and I are engaged," Beatrice said standing a bit taller.
Shauna smiled widely knowing her father would not refuse.
Mrs. Prior sat there taking in the knowledge of her second eldest daughter's engagement. Although hearing it earlier, upon having it confirmed, Natalie continued in her shocked state unable to move.
Christina giggled happily and ran over to hug Beatrice while Myra smiled and could not have wished for yet another excellent brother-in-law. After many minutes of comprehending what she had just heard, Mrs. Prior finally recovered and sat up from her position.
"Lord bless me! Who would have thought it! And is it really true? Oh Tris," Natalie cried out with joyous passion embracing her daughter. "Mr. Tobias Eaton," she pulled away. "Imagine how rich and how great you will be! The carriages and horses you'll have," she exclaimed. "Shauna's will be nothing compared to yours."
"Mother," Beatrice proclaimed but Shauna merely stood up and went to hug her sister.
Neither of them cared about such things but both were pleased that they could find people whose tempers suited them so well.
"Am I to assume that you are pleased now Mama," asked Shauna.
"Yes for but a moment ago you were fretting about Mr. Eaton," reminded Christina with another laugh.
"Of course I am pleased," Natalie sat down and did look pleased with herself.
"You mentioned having a great dislike for him," Christina continued.
"Hush now," Mrs. Prior told her as the four of her daughters laughed. "But now that you brought it up, Tris you must apologize to him for my having disliked him so much before. I hope he will overlook it now that I am to be his mother in law."
Soon her joy became too much once again and Natalie could not contain her rattling on about her newest son in law.
"He is such a charming, handsome young man," Mrs. Prior smiled. "Ten thousand a year," she continued. "Oh to think that God has blessed with me three daughters happily married."
The topic of three daughters happily married was something that Beatrice most desired to talk to Shauna about.
"Eric is still a highly favored son in law for his flattery and praises that he bestows. However, I do know for certainty that I will come to love both Ezekiel and Tobias as well," Natalie assured. "Oh," she stood and hurried to the door. "I must speak to your father about wedding clothes."
Myra and Christina also excused themselves for the night as Shauna took Beatrice took sit down. They had so much to discuss once more.
"You are glowing," Shauna commented.
"Am I really," Beatrice could feel her cheeks heat up.
"Aye," Shauna nodded.
Both the sisters laughed heartily. "I am so overcome Shauna. Is this how you felt? Is this the happiness that overtook you?"
"I believe it is," Beatrice's eldest sister leaned in and kissed her cheek. "I often feared for you Tris. I know that I would often joke about someone coming along and catching your eye. I just did not think that person would ever be Mr. Eaton."
"I informed father and I feel that I must inform you as well," Beatrice said gripping onto her sister's hand.
Beatrice related to Shauna the discussion she had with Lauren and how she found out that Tobias had been at her wedding. After discovering the truth from Aunt Victoria, Beatrice felt more strongly than she did before.
Shauna thought that Beatrice's feelings started for Mr. Eaton when she had received the letter regarding his past history with Mr. Eric Wickham and about hearing about the care he went through for his sister, Marlene.
With a smile Beatrice disagreed. Upon seeing Tobias' home in Dauntless and realizing that he was willing to share all of that with her made her heart swell. Hearing stories from his head servant about his constant care and attention also made her view him in a different light. Although hearing it was one thing, for her to see Tobias' actions in person was another. And when she saw Marlene relate the heroism of her brother, Tobias, it endeared him to her further.
The very next evening, both gentlemen arrived to walk with the young ladies and then partake in a family meal.
Even though it was evident that Ezekiel was more of a conversationalist that it did not detract from Tobias at all. Tobias commented on several matters with Mr. Prior. Both men though were of a quiet nature and Beatrice could see her father warming up to his soon to be son in law.