In the present moment though, Hannah was so completely enthralled by the project in hand that her mind was stilled. She thought only of her new creation; the texture of the oils, the direction of the brush.
She heard the door to her Art Studio click open and turned, alarmed, half-expecting her mother-in-law to interfere and begin a new confrontation.
The relief Hannah felt was palpable; to see Emmeline standing in the doorway. Her sweet ringlets nestled about her face and her ever-present smile directed at Hannah.
‘May I enter?’ Emmeline asked softly.
‘Of course!’ Hannah responded. ‘Please do come in!’
As Emmeline crossed the parlour room, Hannah felt suddenly fretful. Sophia and Lucy were the only people who ever really viewed Hannah’s artwork and – whilst she had been thrilled at the possibility of Nathaniel taking a look – the idea of somebody seeing her work right in that moment as it was a work in progress and was certainly nowhere near being perfected, terrified her. If Emmeline did not like her artwork, was she likely to report to Caleb that, upon reflection, their mother may have been right in suggesting it was a waste of time and space and that accommodating Hannah’s love of art was a mistake? She did not realistically consider sweet Emmeline capable of such cruelty, but even so, her desire for her art to be held in high regard was overwhelming and as Emmeline approached, the self-doubt kicked in.
Emmeline appeared next to Hannah at the easel and her delight at the painting on the canvas was audible as she inhaled loudly.
‘Oh! Oh, Hannah, it is simply stunning….!’
Hannah looked down into her lap, both relieved and embarrassed by the attention ‘Thank you…’
‘No, I mean it, really….why, it is more splendid than most paintings I see in galleries!’
Hannah looked at Emmeline’s face as her eyes explored the painting.
‘I love the meticulous detail of the light as it hits the water! Why, I could be quite literally standing beside the sea, looking out. You have captured a vision so realistic and true to life!’
Quite taken aback by the sincerity of Emmeline’s adulation, Hannah leaned back and assessed her painting, trying to see it from Emmeline’s perspective, as somebody who had never looked upon it before. When she was creating a piece, it was imperative to engage fully with each minute, tiny detail, but in the process, it meant that a broader feeling for the piece as a whole was lost.
This was a welcome interruption; as Hannah looked at her painting through the filter of Emmeline’s compliments, she felt a small smile tug at the corners of her lips and a flush of pride overwhelm her. She considered that perhaps her workwasdeserving of exhibition. She could quite easily envisage her pieces standing proudly alongside esteemed artists; her standard was high and Emmeline’s kindness helped her to see this.
‘Tell me, how did you make it appear as though the water is moving?’ Emmeline gabbled excitedly.
‘Predominantly, it is the combination of long strokes in lines, contrasted by colouring effects. Also, the consideration of light and shadows; applying variety in colour, dependent on shallower and deeper areas of water. It is important to apply reflection and subtle rippling to demonstrate motion…’
Emmeline had been watching Hannah’s face as she spoke and was enchanted by how her sister-in-law lit up with vitality as she discussed her art.
As Hannah finished describing the techniques, she turned to Emmeline, who was beaming at her.
‘I think you are so very talented, Hannah. You must always paint! Please do not take any heed of my mother. She is cantankerous and quite wrong in her conjecture.’
Hannah dipped her eyes and then back to Emmeline and smiled at her ‘Thank you so very much, Emmeline.’
Hannah reached out to touch Emmeline’s hand.
‘You are a kind soul and it feels wonderful to have gained a friend in you,’ Hannah added, genuinely.
‘A friend and a sister!’ Emmeline corrected fondly.
‘Indeed, another sister!’ Hannah laughed.
‘You do have a sister, then? I had thought so, but she did not make an appearance at your wedding…?’ Emmeline queried tentatively.
‘Yes, Clara is my older sister. Her husband, Lord James Ashworth, is a businessman who travels across the globe and so Clara accompanies him on his trips. With the wedding happening so quickly, she was unable to make it home in time…’ Hannah lowered her eyes regretfully.
‘If my brother hadn’t requested a special license and you had the usual delay with the reading of the banns, would your sister perhaps have been able to attend?’ Emmeline seemed aggrieved on Hannah’s behalf.
‘Even then, it is doubtful,’ Hannah reconciled. ‘She was already on a ship from America, but the passage is many weeks, perhaps even months and so she would not have reached home on time.’
‘I am sorry – you seem to miss her,’ Emmeline smiled sadly.
Hannah nodded a little and then turned her attention back to the canvas.
