Page 36 of Snowfall Over Halesmere House
‘It’s fine.’ Ella didn’t want to unnerve her. ‘You were going to show me your collection of gowns, but we can do it some other time, especially if you’re painting.’
‘Non,non, come in.’ Noelle caught Ella’s elbow and drew her forward. ‘I am sorry,chérie, when I am painting things sometimes get forgotten. I will show you, as you said.’
Ella followed Noelle along a short corridor, and they emerged into her studio. Like Max’s office, it faced south, lit by deep sash windows allowing in what winter light there was. It was as haphazardly arranged as Ella had expected, with white walls, splashes of green foliage plonked in vases, and some colour from winter flowers. Canvases were stacked all around the room and she was slightly alarmed to see an easel holding an unfinished nude of a man. She almost didn’t dare look in case she’d found Stan posing in all his glory. Thankfully, though, it was someone she didn’t recognise. He was standing, his back to the artist, one elegant leg poised behind the other, a hand on his hip, long hair swept back to skim his shoulders.
‘You’ll join me,oui?’ Noelle was adding hot water to porcelain cups containing herbal tea bags. She looked up and caught Ella staring at the painting. Noelle brought the cups across and passed one to her. ‘Of course, it’s not finished yet, but it will be in my exhibition. What do you think?’
‘It’s beautiful, Noelle.’ And it was. She had captured the grace and elegance of the man’s form that made it feel very real; Ella almost expected him to move, stretch weary limbs.
‘Now these are what I wanted to show you.’ Noelle took Ella’s cup, seeming not to notice that she hadn’t had even a mouthful yet, and set it down on a small table. She led Ella to a corner of the studio where a rail of clothes stood beside a screen.
‘I know nothing about couture but these are exquisite.’ She wanted to run a hand along the sumptuous fabrics enticing her to touch them but didn’t dare, afraid of leaving a mark or snagging a loose thread.
‘They are wonderful, are they not? I modelled for a few different designers and occasionally managed to buy a piece or was given it.’ Noelle lifted a hanger from the rail, a swish of fabric that she shook out and held up. ‘Now this is the one for you,chérie.’
‘It’s stunning.’ Ella had never really been one for dressing up, preferring to be thrashing through a pool or racing on a river, but this rose-patterned ivory chiffon gown was certainly tempting.
‘I think it will fit you perfectly.’ Noelle pointed to the screen. ‘Try it on.’
‘Oh no, thank you. I might mark it or something, and it would be such a shame to spoil it.’
‘Nonsense.’ Noelle handed the gown across, and Ella took it reluctantly. ‘They were made for showing off, not sitting on a rail gathering dust. Try it, then let me see.’
She stepped behind the screen and hung the gown carefully, then took off her jumper and jeans. Her bra was going to be in the way, so she removed it as well. She stepped into the gown and slid the straps up over her bare shoulders. The chiffon felt exquisite against her skin, almost a caress, a softness she was completely unused to. It was backless and almost sheer, only the roses stitched into the bodice and flowing through the skirt protecting her modesty as she admired herself from every angle in a full-length triple mirror. She looked taller, even barefoot, and so elegant. She loved how the fabric clung to her body, outlining the femininity of her figure.
‘May I see?’
Ella stepped out, holding the gown carefully in one hand. It was a little long without shoes and she didn’t want it to trail or snag on the floor.
‘Perfect,’ Noelle pronounced with a flourish, taking Ella by the shoulders and turning her full circle. ‘Nowchérie, please will you sit for me and wear this gown? I want you for my exhibition too.’
‘Me?’ She hoped her quick laugh had covered her astonishment. ‘I wouldn’t know what to do.’
‘You need do nothing, other than stand for a little while just as I say. There is something about your face, the story in your eyes that you do not wish to tell me. Maybe I can draw it out of you, capture it on my canvas.’
‘Don’t I need shoes?’ Ella felt her resolve to refuse weakening in her desire not to remove the gown just yet. She raised a shoulder, popped a hip and tilted her head. Her laugh was self-conscious, aware of Noelle watching.
‘Non, I like you barefoot, just as you are. As though you are about to run to someone, and shoes would be in the way. Perhaps you will carry them, we will decide later. I must make a start as soon as possible.’ Noelle was eyeing her critically and Ella had the sense that she was already assessing the dimensions of her body and how to pose her. Ella wondered if she ought to have worn more make-up than just her usual mascara and lip gloss, or done something more elegant with her hair, but Noelle assured her that she looked perfect and far more natural without anything else on her face.
‘I really should be working.’ But Ella was wavering, hoping this first time might not take too long. ‘I have meetings this afternoon and then—’
‘Leave Maxence to me.’ Noelle’s eyes seemed to be gleaming, and Ella wasn’t sure Noelle would let her escape now. ‘There is nothing for him to object to – and if he tries, send him to me.Oui?’
‘Mmm.’ Ella had no intention of doing anything of the sort. She couldn’t pack her new boss off to his mother for a scolding if he found out she wasn’t around to do her job. She’d just have to sneak back to work and hope he hadn’t noticed.
‘Take off your watch,chérie, it is in the way.’
She did as Noelle asked, a hand ready to sweep her hair from her face. She was about to ask again if oughtn’t to be wearing shoes to keep the gown from trailing on the floor.
‘Don’t move.’ Noelle’s shriek made her jump, and her watch dropped to the floor with a clunk. ‘That expression, hold it, Ella, please. Let me work, don’t say a word, just think exactly what you were thinking in that moment.’
‘I was—’
‘Non!Do nothing, say nothing. Just stand, exactly as you are. I must draw.’
Ella didn’t dare say another word as Noelle’s hand flew across her easel. She soon discovered that standing still and trying to maintain whatever expression she hadn’t realised she was wearing was very difficult. It wasn’t long before her muscles started to ache and the arm supporting the hand near her face was grumbling.
‘I don’t think I can stay like this for much longer, Noelle, I’m sorry.’
