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It was well known that the Countess of Baskerville cared about a great many things, but etiquette was most certainly not one of them. In her presence, all formality should be cast aside for familiarity and none should stand on ceremony. As such, she was wont to introduce any who so happened to meet in her drawing room. After all, if she was friends with them both then why should she not introduce them?
Miss Evie Oakley was well aware of her dear friend’s tendency and had long since stopped being surprised about it. Some, however, were not quite so acquainted with her ladyship’s manner. Evie could not help being a bit amused at their expense in such situations; as was presented to her when the brothers Van Zieks were announced during her visit.
She had certainly been told of the brothers, the elder recently becoming a close acquaintance of Flora’s, but had never truly met them. Knowing Flora would introduce them, Evie rose when her friend did.
Lord van Zieks looked much as described to her, a charming figure in a fine coat with neatly combed hair. Mr. van Zieks, though no less finely dressed, looked… nervous, almost. He could not be more than two or three years her junior, but he seemed so small all tucked behind his brother like that.
She did not dwell on it. She could not if she wanted to, with Flora welcoming them cheerily and beckoning her along.
“Evie, my dear,” she said, her smile positively radiant, “I present to you Klint, the Lord van Zieks I’ve been telling you about.”
The man bowed gallantly, a bit dramatically for her tastes but she cordially nodded all the same.
“And his younger brother, Barok.”
Mr. van Zieks bowed in a much less showy manner, offering a small compliment on rising. This was not unusual, of course, but what caught her attention was the awkward manner in which his sentence trailed off.
She realized fast what he was searching for. “Miss Oakley,” she whispered conspiratorially, as Flora had already begun a conversation with the elder van Zieks.
At this, the young man smiled. It was a small thing, but a glad one. He repeated his remark, this time definitively ending the sentence with “Miss Oakley” as he had surely been taught to.
Evie gave a polite but friendly reply, then glanced over to the other two in the room. Lord van Zieks had settled in the seat nearest Flora, no doubt by her own request, but curious nevertheless. “Are they always like this?” she could not help but to ask.
Mr. van Zieks nodded. “That I have seen.”
With a hum, Evie replied, “Then we shall have to make a party of our own. Come, sit.” She did so with little fanfare, but her new acquaintance looked at her warily. “The sofa will not eat you, I promise.”
Hesitantly, he sat at a more than proper distance away from her.
She did not sigh as she realized he would not be a very active conversation partner, but continued all the same. General questions with simple answers. The very definition of small talk, she thought. “Have you known Lady Baskerville long?” was the natural first question, unobjectionable by any standard.
“Not very. I was only introduced to her when I returned from university, so a few weeks.”
Now they were getting somewhere! “And what do you study, Mr. van Zieks?”
“I’m studying law.” He glanced to his brother. “I am to be a prosecutor.”
“Well, I am sure you shall make a very fine one.”
He hesitated, but thanked her for saying so before once again falling silent.
Evie did her best to smile reassuringly, but she was privately amused. “You must not have called upon Lady Baskerville often.”
Mr. van Zieks looked at her curiously. “I have not.”
“She is not one for etiquette, you see.” Evie looked to her friend, still chatting happily with Lord van Zieks. “She prefers things to be more relaxed.” Evie paused, before continuing quietly, “Sometimes that leaves people on their own when she finds a fascination.”
“I hope you are not gossiping about me over there,” Flora cut in playfully from the other side of the room.
Evie volleyed back with ease, “Now, Flora, you know I would never,” she replied with faux offense, “You, on the other hand…”
Flora laughed boisterously while Mr. van Zieks seemed… rather uncomfortable.
She looked at him briefly, then back to his brother. “We have fun here; don’t we, Klint?”
Lord van Zieks looked amused. “You most certainly do.”
Flora smiled at him, lightly slapping his shoulder before looking to Mr. van Zieks. “Now, Barok, you simply must accompany your brother to my ball this weekend.”
“If that is what my lady wishes,” he answered sincerely with a bow of his head.
Her tone was teasing, but she assured, “It is, indeed.” She turned to the elder van Zieks. “And any friends of yours that dance, too. Tell Mikotoba to bring Sholmes, he entertains me so.”
“As my lady wishes,” Lord van Zieks replied, lightly mocking his brother’s formal tone.
The two laughed, but Evie shot a sympathetic glance to the poor young man - now quite the bright shade of pink. “Don’t mind them,” she said softly, “I happen to find your manner quite endearing.”
Mr. van Zieks did not look as comforted as she had hoped, but a slight comfort was better than none. Still, she was determined.
And so, she stood. “I believe I must be going,” she announced, leaving no room for argument in her tone, “would you be so kind as to escort me to the door, Mr. van Zieks?”
He agreed readily, and Evie made her goodbyes. “It was lovely to meet you, Lord van Zieks.” She bowed to him, before turning to her friend. “I shall see you tomorrow, Flora.”
“And I shall miss you every second.” Flora lightly kissed both sides of her friend’s face. “Goodbye, my dear.”
Mr. van Zieks extended his arm for Evie to take, and they walked to the street door in silence. “Might I call you a cab?” he asked politely as Evie adjusted her hat in the wall mirror.
“I will be just fine, you are sweet to ask.”
She thought that was the end of their conversation, but just as she reached for the door she heard a quiet;
“Thank you, Miss Oakley.”
Evie looked back with a smile. “It is nothing. I know how siblings can be.”
He appeared as if he were to reply, but said nothing and simply bowed.
“Well, I suppose we shall meet again this weekend.” She gave a bow in return. “Goodbye, Mr. van Zieks.” With that, she finally left but not without wondering on the oddity of the visit.