Create a hauntingly elegant portrait in the style of Edward Gorey. The character is a woman with an unreadable, enigmatic expression, wearing a fitted red dress with black lace accents. Pay attention to intricate textures, using meticulous cross-hatching to convey the richness of the fabric and the subtle reflections of light on her dark hair and glossy material. Her long, straight black hair frames her face, adorned with small cat-ear accessories, hinting at a playful yet unsettling surrealism. Position her in a minimalistic interior setting, suggested only through the soft glow of a vintage lamp behind her, leaving much of the background in shadow to evoke a sense of emptiness. Integrate subtle symbolic elements--a clock partially visible on the wall or a bird's shadow lurking near the frame--to build tension and narrative ambiguity. The illustration should emphasize Gorey’s characteristic fine-line cross-hatching to build depth, creating contrasts between light and shadow. Maintain the character's detached gaze and delicate posture, embodying a blend of melancholy, elegance, and surreal irony. Use the deep red of the dress as the only prominent color, contrasting with the otherwise monochromatic palette to enhance the atmosphere and evoke a quiet, haunting beauty.