Okay so basically from this point, I might be straying from the book. I had wanted to end it at the wedding scene, or wedding night scene and be done with it. However, since there were requests to continue it. I will make an attempt. Thank you to those who gave me some advice with how to proceed. I hope that you all still enjoy the story.
I do not own Divergent or Pride and Prejudice. Credit belongs to Veronica Roth and Jane Austen.
A couple days after Shauna and Ezekiel's wedding, Tobias and Beatrice retired back to their residence at Dauntless. Their residence, Beatrice thought as she sighed contently. There was Beatrice resting on Tobias' shoulder in the carriage at the forefront as Christina and Marlene traveled in the second.
"We are almost there, my dearest," Tobias whispered into her hair causing Beatrice to bury herself further at his side.
Beatrice was the least bit nervous about making Dauntless her home, not with Marlene and Christina there with her. Tobias was convinced by both Beatrice and Marlene that Marlene's education would be best finished at Dauntless. It was almost complete and this would give time for the two to grow in affection.
The servants received Beatrice with open arms and were open to every suggestion of change that she made, although Beatrice did not change much from before.
"I was told," Beatrice began one early afternoon when Marlene was showing her other more private rooms that had not been displayed to her when she visited with her Uncle and Aunt. "This room here was your mother's favorite," Beatrice smiled at Marlene.
"It was," Marlene smiled and ran her finger over her mother's desk. "Tobias rarely speaks of her but I know that he misses her dearly. This could be your room if you like, now."
Beatrice shook her head. "I believe your brother wanted to keep whatever has been in your mother's possession intact. I do not mind."
"Thank you," a whispered appreciation came from across the other side. All three ladies turned to see Tobias standing there observing the scene.
Marlene took Christina and decided to introduce her to the seamstress. Beatrice walked up to Tobias as he took her in his arms. "I did not think you would be finish so soon."
"Business is always in need of improvement. Speaking of which I need to make an announcement to night at dinner," Tobias told her. "Again I want to thank you for keeping some of my mother's belongings in place."
"I would not want to intrude on this home's previous Mistress."
"You must make it your own though."
"Did you think I would have taken that away," Beatrice motioned to the office room where the late Mrs. Eaton would pass her time.
Tobias shook his head. "I know enough of you to be sensible, practical, and caring to keep certain aspects of this home the same. But the fact that I got to actually hear you say it," Tobias leaned forward to kiss his wife's cheek. "I truly am grateful that you understand."
"I am learning so you'll have to bear with me," Beatrice smiled.
"I have seen your capability. I've noticed a slight change in the accounts," Tobias said as Beatrice took his arm and they walked down one of the grand hallways. "It is a rather good decrease in the house's expenses."
"I do not need much. You should that by now."
"I do," Tobias smiled at her. "Many of the servants seemed pleased as well. When I informed them I had taken a wife many were fearful for their lives."
"Do you have to be so overly dramatic," Beatrice laughed.
Tobias turned to her, wrapping her in his arms again. "They respect you and your decisions. You aren't demanding of them. You handled that situation the other week with Brianne and Katherine very well. The older servants trust your judgement as well."
"They are people."
"I believe that it why," Tobias ran his hand through his wife's hair. "They know that you do not look down on any of them, that you trust them. You've been a very fair Mistress in their eyes and I wanted to let you know that I appreciate all that you're doing."
Tobias and Beatrice spent the rest of that afternoon together in Tobias' library, sitting on propped pillows by the small fireplace as they read books to one another, often stealing kisses. There was little time afforded alone for the newlyweds, especially with Beatrice learning to manage Dauntless. The moments they did have, Beatrice and Tobias made the most of them.
"I have business to attend to," Tobias said startling the ladies at the dinner table that evening.
"So soon, brother," asked Marlene.
"Yes," Tobias answered before letting out a sigh. "Surely the three of you can keep yourselves entertained?"
"Of course," Marlene smiled.
Silence then fell over the dinner table. Even when they had turned to the sitting room to read or converse before the night's end, conversation between the foursome still lacked. It was not until Beatrice and Tobias retired to their room that Beatrice had a comment to make.
"You cannot leave me," Beatrice whispered into the night.
"I will not be long, dearest Tris," Tobias pressed a kiss to her shoulder. It seemed to be the special spot that he lavished attention on, perhaps because it always made Beatrice calm and content.
"We've only been married a month and you are leaving," Beatrice replied.
"If it weren't something important I would not be leaving at all."
"Why did you not tell me earlier this afternoon when we did speak about business? Can't this business wait another week or so?"
"I'm afraid it cannot," Tobias pulled back. "You will have Marlene and Christina with you."
"I cannot run this home by myself," Beatrice confessed.
"You have been doing a thoroughly excellent job, my dear," Tobias kissed her forehead.
Though Beatrice was confident in her own judgement, majority of it was because Tobias was in the home. Beatrice thought back to earlier and finally realized why he had been so open about his observations. Tobias had to tell her before he left. Tobias knew that Beatrice was strong and brave. Tobias knew that Beatrice could do it all on her own; she is that type of woman.
"The servants admire and respect you. I've told you this. The attendants here are also loyal to any decision you make. It is as if you were their Mistress for many a years. My dearest," Tobias took her hands in his.
It was a small gesture that she always enjoyed, having her hands encased in his large ones.
"Nothing terrible will happen when I am gone and I will be back sooner than you think," Tobias finished. "I do not wish to be apart from you for so long."
And with one deep kiss, conversation had finished for the evening as husband and wife enjoyed the pleasure of the other's company.
The next day was a solemn one indeed. Tobias had though that he had never seen so many broken hearten women before in his life, even Christina looked saddened. That night when they had retired, Marlene and Beatrice had found that Tobias had left them lengthy letters, obviously written the day before voicing their need to protect, assist, and care for one another in his absence. Over the course of time, however, Marlene and Beatrice had come to love one another dearly as though they were sister so that was no issue for either.
Managing the home by herself went by smoothly for the first two days. It was not until the third day that things started to get complicated for Mrs. Beatrice Eaton.
"You have a visitor," a servant girl, Amy, entered the small breakfast room where the three ladies were sitting.
Beatrice smiled. "Please show them in."
"Milady asked that a table and seat be set up for her before she comes in," Amy said timidly, almost as though she were frightened.
The fear could not be directed towards Beatrice or Marlene, could it? The girls treated everyone fairly and Christina was given her own personal maid during her stay here. What could have this girl so afraid?
"Gus," Beatrice turned for one of the attendants. "Could you please set up something for our guest?" Gus smiled and nodded. "Thank you."
"Mrs. Eaton," Amy called and took a step forward.
"Yes, Amy," Beatrice looked at her.
"Milady wants to eat in the grand breakfast room overlooking the park."
"No one ever sits in there," Marlene said. "The only time we have ever used it is for," Marlene stopped and then turned to Beatrice with a grave look on her face. "Amy, are you quite certain she is here?"
"Yes, Miss."
"I don't understand. She never comes here, especially if Tobias is not here," Marlene said softly.
"Who is it," asked Beatrice.
"Lady Evelyn is the guest," Marlene answered.