Chapter Text
It had been nearly four months since the birth of Lady Iris van Zieks and Mrs. Evie Vigil had taken upon herself an important task. Lady Iris’ mother, Flora, and Evie’s dearest friend had been cleared for visitors a month already and still Lord van Zieks did not visit. Flora had sent letters and cards and still he did not come.
Evie would try to make excuses for him, he is still grieving his brother of course, but truly even she was running out of patience. So, once Flora and Iris had gone for a nap, she made her way to the van Zieks manor.
Evie knocked on the door, politely yet impatiently, and waited. For minutes she stood there, before finally deciding to open the door herself.
“Barok?” she called as she cautiously stepped into the manor. “...Are you here?” Evie wandered through, unconsciously finding her way to the drawing room. It was suspiciously unlit, only the slightest sunlight from between the curtains. “Barok?”
“I am here.” Barok’s dreary tone was almost unrecognizable. “What do you want?”
Evie’s eyes widened, mouth dropping ever so slightly, never had she known him to speak so. “I am here for Flora,” she explained nevertheless, “you have not answered her letters.”
“I have been in no mood.”
Evie scoffed, all her annoyance from the past month compounding.“And you think Flora is? You are not the only one who has suffered from Klint’s death. The difference is that she has been given no choice but to move on.” She paused, glaring at the dimly light figure in front of her. “She nearly died, did you know that? You almost lost your sister-in-law forever and you had no idea. The least you can do for her, and for your brother, is to meet your niece.”
Barok only looked at her, the lack of light adding an eeriness to his blank expression.
“So?” she huffed.
“Very well,” he said blandly, at last.
Evie did not give him time to change his mind. “Then get up. The carriage is outside.” With that, she turned and left without looking back. He would follow, if he knew what was best for him.
The second Barok entered the carriage, before he had even closed the door, Evie signaled the driver to leave.
When they arrived back to Baskerville House, she watched carefully as he exited and held out his hand for her. She accepted it with a wary look.
“You will not upset her,” Evie said sternly, straightening her skirts as she stepped out. “If you do, you will regret it most severely.” She all but threw his hand from hers and made her way to the house.
It did not take long for the butler to answer the door, and she smiled at him. “Hello, Mr. Barnes. Do you know if Flora is awake yet?”
“She is in the drawing room, ma’am,” he replied, then cast a curious look at Barok. “Would you like me to show Lord van Zieks in?”
“If you would be so kind. I think it would be nice to surprise her, so I shall go in first.”
Mr. Barnes bowed, then stepped aside for her to go in.
She thanked him before going to find Flora.