Back to work. I want to hear nothing but the sound of flying needles.â She looked over at Lizzie. âMiss Siddal, if youâre finished, Iâll see you now.â
Lizzie stood and followed Mrs. Tozer into a small office at the back of the shop. Mrs. Tozer dropped heavily into a chair and indicated that Lizzie should sit as well.
âIt feels good to sit for a moment,â Mrs. Tozer said, kneading her hands against the small of her back. âItâs hard work keeping after all you girls, you know! And the orders keep coming in, sometimes three or four for the same customer!â
Lizzie nodded, unsure why Mrs. Tozer should have called her aside. As far as she knew, her work had been satisfactory.
âLizzie,â Mrs. Tozer began, with a confidential smile. âI have a very interesting proposal for you. It seems that youâve caught the attention of one of our customers, a Mrs. Deverell. She has a son, a painter, and he wishes you to sit for a portrait.â
Mrs. Tozerâs words caught Lizzie completely off guard. âA portrait? For an advertisement for the shop?â
Mrs. Tozer laughed. âNo, dear, though thatâs certainly an idea! Itâs a proper portrait he wants.â
âThere must be some mistake,â Lizzie said, thinking that she was being set up for some elaborate joke.
âNo mistake, but between us, I was as surprised as you! I suggested that Miss Evans might be more suitable, but he seemed set on having you.â Mrs. Tozer paused, perhaps aware that she had been unkind. âBut really, you do have some nice features. Itâs a shame about your hair, of courseâsuch an unfortunate colorâbut your complexion is lovely. Apparently this Mr. Deverell sees something artistic in you! So there it is.â Mrs. Tozer did not seem to notice Lizzieâs growing embarrassment. âHis mother made a large order, and I couldnât very well refuse her request. And at any rate, youâll be paid seven shillings a day for your work; your mother can hardly turn her nose up at such a sum.â
Lizzie was quiet. It was true that her mother could easily find a use for seven shillings a day. âBut my position here? Donât you need me?â
âYou neednât worry about thatâI can spare you for a few days, though it will be a strain.â
Lizzie had seen many portraits of ladies in exquisite gowns in the halls of the National Galleries. How many times had she imagined herself to be one of them? A slight smile passed over her lips and then faded. It was out of the question, of courseâher mother would never allow it. And besides, having a society portrait done was quite a different thing from sitting as a paid model. The former was an honor afforded to wealthy ladies, while the latter was often done by women who wouldnât be fit to serve in their houses.
Mrs. Tozer sighed. âItâs just like one of my girls, not to see a real opportunity when it comes their way! Thereâs no need to look so scandalized, Lizzie. Youâll be properly chaperoned at all times, Mrs. Deverell has assured me. And itâs really very flattering! If he wants to paint you, he must think you beautiful. Perhaps it will lead to something more. At the very least, youâre bound to meet some really refined peopleâartists, and perhaps others in their circle, their patrons. Iâve seen you glancing over your books and daydreaming when you thought no one was lookingânot much passes in my shop without my knowledge. But of course you must do as you see fit.â
âBut if people should find out. It could ruin my chances . . .â
âItâs not as if youâll be posing in your knickers! This is quite a different thingâyou shall sit to Mr. Deverell as if you were his sister. He tells me that the subject of the painting is taken from Shakespeareâwhat could be scandalous about that? And really, my dear,