If I had only one sentence to describe her I would say she was:
More knee than thigh
That is to say, more inclined toward decorum than flirtation,
More likely to look away when flattered.
Her sweaters were intentionally a size too large.
Minimizing curves
Skirts were cut almost to her calves, also by design,
To reduce exposure.
She was shy in public and preferred quiet cafes
to the sardine claustrophobia of music clubs.
Only in private was she flamboyant.
Transformed by bedside candles and mandolin music.
Strong hands in place of nervous fingers,
Greedy mouth in lieu of polite language.
Some metamorphosis,
said I.
Only a mask removed,
said she.