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A necklace can be many things. Perhaps a gift, given as a sign of love or apology. Perhaps a memory, something from long ago held down with the weight of the past. A symbol, of status earned or progress made. This particular necklace happens to be a bit of them all.
The necklace itself is not especially remarkable. A locket emblazoned with the Baskerville crest, embellished with fine pearls and gems. An heirloom piece, passed down through five generations of Countesses. Impressive, maybe, but many others have much the same story.
It begins as a token of love. A gift to the seventh Countess of Baskerville, recently married to the fourth Viscount Bradley. Lord Bradley has it special ordered from one of the finest jewelers in Paris, gifting it to his new wife on the first night of their honeymoon.
A mere decade later, his lordship passes on. Their eldest daughter five years later. Next, their son. Lady Baskerville is often seen clutching her necklace when talking about them, until she takes ill in the winter of 1743. There, slowing being consumed by disease, she bestows the necklace upon her daughter—her sole remaining child.
The next Lady Baskerville, only 17 years old at the time of her inheritance, cherishes it as a reminder of her family’s storied past. No one, not even her own lady’s maid, ever sees her without it. This Lady Baskerville never marries, whether out of personal preference or fear is often speculated on, but is a beloved aunt to her young nieces and nephews. She is to be buried with the necklace, at first, but with her last breath, the necklace is trusted to the care of her favorite niece.
Anne Fiztwilliam, Countess of Baskerville, is a bit of an odd woman. The necklace is just as precious to her as to her late aunt, but her cherishment takes on a very different form. In her care, the necklace is scarcely worn. Rather, it’s kept in an ornate glass case built particularly for it. On rare occasions, Lady Baskerville dons the necklace. To her aunt’s funeral, she wears it proudly. For her wedding, it brings the memory of her aunt where she wanted her most. Thus it goes, following her through her most important moments. This time, the necklace is not passed on at the owner’s deathbed. This Lady Baskerville lovingly fastens it around her daughter’s neck on the day of her wedding, a fine evening in the late 1840s.
The next, with the necklace now over a hundred years old, takes the finest care of it. She wears it often, a symbol of her mother’s love and her own love for life. On inheriting the title, many years later, she takes to clutching the necklace much as her great great aunt did. The miniature of her mother inside comforts her on many a hard day, reminding her of all that she stands for. She grows ill as the century progresses, a rather severe case of consumption. As her disease worsens, she is forced to leave the necklace aside as not to damage it. On the day of her daughter’s coming out, barely clinging onto life, she lays the necklace over her daughter’s neck, as was done to her all those years ago.
Flora Beaumont becomes the Countess of Baskerville less than two months after her coming out. Everywhere she goes, every room she flits about it, her heirloom necklace accompanies her. Every aspect of her dress is made especially to match it, ensuring it’s perfectly cohesive with all she wears.
She meets Lord van Zieks in 1878 and takes an instant interest in him. They become friends in a matter of minutes, dragging him into all her shenanigans. Years later, in early 1882, they marry. It’s peaceful until the next year, when Lord van Zieks grew increasingly distant and miserable. Later that year, Lord van Zieks is murdered.
In the summer of 1883, only a month after her husband’s death, Flora van Zieks nee Beaumont, Countess of Baskerville, passes from complications of childbirth. The once cherished necklace lays dormant in Baskerville House until her will is read a month later. The necklace is left to her dear friend, Evie Vigil.
Evie daren’t wear the necklace. Still, she often looks upon it in its glass case and reminisces. It goes on much the same for over a decade, carefully maintained but never worn. Until, one day, Evie learns of something world shattering.
Flora’s child survived.
The following months find them becoming friends, something she could only dream of these last ten years. Evie, though she can’t help a sense of guilt, conceals the necklace’s existence, not quite willing to give it up.
Iris’ eleventh birthday fast approaches. Evie decides it’s finally time to pass the necklace on, something she should have done months ago. She takes her time to mourn the loss of that memento, wearing it for the first time to visit Flora’s grave and leave a fresh bouquet of her favorite flowers.
The day of Iris’ birthday arrives. Everyone gathers at 221B Baker Street, giving their gifts one by one. Evie’s time finally comes. She can’t help explaining the necklace’s story as Iris opens it carefully, the both of them very nearly tearing up.
Iris may not be Countess, having decided it’s better for her to not make public her relation to the Van Zieks’, but the necklace is restored to its rightful owner at last. She can only wear it around trusted family and friends, just to be cautious, but she cherishes every occasion she’s able to do so.
Evie thought it might hurt, seeing Iris wear the necklace like that, but it just… warms her heart. Every time she sees it, she feels a settled warmth in her chest knowing this is what Flora would have wanted.
A necklace can be many things. To Iris Sholmes, daughter of the last Countess of Baskerville, it is a connection to the life she never got to live.