Page 54 of The Quiet Wife
“Demure or tempting?”
Frances’ excitement faltered. “What?”
“Are you going to look over your shoulder in a demure fashion, like this?” Lizzie turned and then gave a sweet look. “Or tempting.” She faced forward, then gazed over her shoulder again with a wicked gleam in her eye and winked.
“Heavens,” Frances put her hands to her cheeks. “Definitely not tempting. Frederick would have a seizure.”
They exchanged a knowing look and burst out laughing. “Come, Jemie will wonder what we are doing,” Frances said. “Help me out of this lot.”
Piece by piece, they unlaced and undid her.
“I think you should remove your corset,” Lizzie advised her.
“Really? I shan’t feel dressed.”
“Well, corsets are fine, but this is so loose and so flowing, it feels like you won’t be able to relax if you still have your corsets on.”
Frances hesitated, but then acquiesced. She stood in just her stockings and a chemise and shimmied into the dress as Lizzie held it up over her head.
The fabric settled around her, soft as a whisper, and she slid her arms into the sheer sleeves. Lizzie buttoned her up and then fastened the train in place at the back. It was almost like an over dress. A light frill at the neck tickled her skin.
Lizzie took her by the shoulders and turned her towards the full-length looking glass. Frances put her hands to her mouth, not recognising herself.
“You look wonderful, my love,” Lizzie kissed the side of her head affectionately. “What will you do with your hair? Will you let it down?”
“Of course not. I do want to hang the picture next to Frederick’s, you know.”
Lizzie giggled. “Well, how about something a little looser?” Lizzie removed a few pins and then quickly gathered up her hair into a looser creation that looked just about respectable.Frances liked it very much.
“I’ll tell Jemie he can come back in now, shall I?”
Frances nodded. She waited behind the screen and heard the door close. Moments later it opened again, and her heart raced.
“Are you going to come out?” Jemie asked softly.
It all felt most improper. She peeped around the corner of the screen. He was standing behind his easel. She emerged from behind the screen, chest squeezing tight, wishing she had the courage to be flirtatious.
He was quiet for a long time. He just watched her and the expression in his eyes made her tremble. “How do I look?” she asked when she could bear it no longer
He moved to stand before her, took hold of her hand, running his thumb over her knuckles, and watched the movement before meeting her gaze.
“Perfect.”
She thought of all the times Frederick had regarded her with disdain, or worse, disappointment. There was nothing like that in Jemie’s eyes.
He reached out and touched her cheek. The softest, fleeting touch, and for a second, she thought he was going to kiss her again. His gaze dropped to her mouth and his breathing hitched. She ached for him to do it, but he looked at her and she could see the same sadness in his eyes that was in her heart knowing they shouldn’t.
He pulled away with one last squeeze of her hand. “Let’s see if we can find the pose,” he whispered.
She squared her shoulders, clasped her hands together behind her back, and waited as he walked around her, studying her this way and that.
“Look over your shoulder at me,” he encouraged her. “Just like we practised.”
Frances’ heart thumped as she turned and shot him an anxious look.
“That’s it. That’s what you will do with your hands. That’s perfect.”
“I’m sorry?” Frances paused.
