Create an Edward Gorey-inspired illustration featuring two solemn, expressionless young women. Their postures are elegant yet subtly unsettling, embodying a refined yet distant beauty. One woman stands with a composed, protective demeanor, her hands gently placed on the shoulders of the other. Both wear dark, intricate Victorian-inspired garments--detailed with ruffled collars, bows, and lace--that glisten slightly under subdued light. Employ dense cross-hatching techniques to craft shadows and depth within their clothing and hair. Use fine, meticulous lines to capture the complexity of their attire and convey the glossy texture of leather-like material. Their faces should remain expressionless, with large, reflective eyes evoking an air of mystery and quiet melancholy. The background should remain minimal, using empty space strategically to create tension, with a few key symbolic elements--such as a flickering fireplace and a grandfather clock in the distance--hinting at the passage of time and ephemeral beauty. Infuse the scene with subtle gothic undertones, balancing elegance with an eerie stillness characteristic of Gorey’s storytelling.