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“I think I’ve done it!” Ruth called out, bouncing up and down a little with excitement. Having Thomas around to appreciate her work had always been nice, but he had always seen it as an opportunity. As Ivy quickly bounded over, Ruth found herself glad to have someone who appreciated her work in the same way that she did.
“Done what? Can I see?”
Ruth nodded, taking Ivy by the shoulders and moving her back from the contraption she had just finished tinkering with. As usual, when Ruth got close, Ivy seemed to get a tad fidgety, causing Ruth to assume that she was shy.
Ruth took the box from the counter, which was connected to the mechanism by a long, thick cable.
Ruth moved the toggle on the box, and in response, the metal spindles that were connected to the bottom of an oval, looking almost like an oddly shaped table, moved with a clicking sound, going from side to side.
“It’s like a spider!” Ivy exclaimed with fascination, taking a timid step towards the contraption.
Ruth nodded. “They’re legs. Should someone lose their own, they could control these new ones with this box.”
“Should they not look more... human?”
Ruth blinked. “Why? This is far more efficient.”
Ivy shrugged. “I suppose, but I imagine many people would be attached to how their human legs look.”
Ruth hummed in thought before nodding. “Perhaps you’re right. This is what I enjoy about having you here, Ivy. You’re good at giving me a fresh perspective on my work.”
Ivy grinned as Ruth went back over to the spider legs to adjust one that was slightly out of sync with the others.
“What about your other project?” Ivy asked, moving over to the workbench.
“Oh, the mechanical brain? It’s progressing. I have it capable of simple arithmetic, but it’s a chore. I’m trying to build the system from the ground up, rather than basing it on the Fralsen system, which I believe to be inherently flawed.”
“Could you use some help with it?” Ivy asked, inching closer to the invention, though she didn’t dare touch it.
“I suppose some input wouldn’t go amiss.”
Before Ivy could respond, a loud knock echoed from below. Ruth froze at the unexpected noise, her fists clenching as she realised that it meant unexpected visitors.
“I’ll answer it,” Ivy said before rushing downstairs to greet their guest.
Ruth couldn’t cope with any more household staff than Ivy, but it would have been unseemly for either her or Thomas to answer. Ivy, thankfully, didn’t seem to mind helping them keep up appearances, though Ruth suspected that had to do with how well Thomas was paying her.
“Lord Holly,” Ivy said, loud enough for it to carry upstairs.
Ruth frowned, not recognising the name.
Thomas, who had been in his downstairs study, hurried out, and Ruth saw from her spot at the top of the stairs that he was inviting James inside, recognising him by his muttonchops.
“I’m dreadfully sorry for stopping by unannounced,” James said, though Ruth didn’t think that he sounded sorry at all. “I was nearby and thought that this may be an opportune time for me to meet The Owl.”
Ivy raced back upstairs as Thomas began to make excuses.
“Your clothes, Ma’am,” she hissed.
Ruth looked down to see that her plain dress, apron and gloves were covered in grease. James would know immediately that she had been the one in the workshop if he saw her.
“Quickly,” Ruth said, hurrying to her room and waving for Ivy to follow her. “Help me get changed. I will not be able to lace up quickly enough on my own.”
Ivy did as she was told, though she moved stiffly as she did so. Ruth wondered if the poor girl was ill, though she pushed the thought away. She didn’t need to be worrying about contracting anything from her assistant when she had so much else to be concerned with.
Ruth quickly stripped off her skirts as soon as the door shut behind her.
“Could you bring me a clean dress?” she asked Ivy, who hurried across the room to her wardrobe.
Ivy hesitated as she brought the blue dress back to Ruth, who had stripped down to her underskirts.
“What is it?” Ruth asked, impatiently placing her hands on her hips.
“I... Nothing,” Ivy squeaked, not quite looking at Ruth.
Ruth didn’t quite believe her, but took her word as Ivy helped her to scramble into the dress and lace up, though Ivy was noticeably hesitant as her fingers neared Ruth’s skin, putting Ruth a little on edge.
She wished Ivy wasn’t so damn shy.
As soon as Ruth was laced up properly, she raced out of her room, just as James was making his way up the stairs.
“The Owl doesn’t like to be disturbed while he’s working!” Thomas protested, following quickly behind James.
“Just a quick introduction, Thomas. Then this can all move along.”
Ruth stepped forward, drawing James’ attention.
“I’m afraid The Owl stepped out for a bit,” she said before James reached the door of the workshop.
“Stepped out?”
“He went for a walk to clear his head. He does that from time to time when he’s looking for inspiration.”
“How long do you think he will be gone?”
She shrugged. “Maybe an hour, maybe the rest of the night. You know how inventors are. It would most likely be a waste of your time to wait for him.”
James nodded. “I’m sorry for my intrusion, Ruth. I simply thought that it would be best to get my meeting The Owl out of the way. I suspect he may try to put me off forever, and I am a busy man.”
“He is quite shy. Perhaps you should forgo the meeting, given that Thomas can vouch for him.”
“I wish that I could, but there are strict protocols on the matter. If I cannot meet The Owl, the Crown cannot use his inventions.”
“That would be a pity.”
“Indeed,” James said before turning back to Thomas. “If you could let me know when you expect him to be home, I shall try to stop by. I know you want to protect your friend, but this is a necessity and putting it off will not help.”
Thomas nodded. “I shall redouble my efforts to arrange a meeting.”
“I would be most grateful,” James said, before turning back to Ruth. “And I would be most delighted to see you again.”
“Oh, if you drop by to see The Owl, I’m sure you will,” she said, her tone betraying nothing, though she meant her words as a subtle barb to her uncle. Not that he would pick up on it, but it made her feel better.
As soon as the front door closed behind James, Ruth glared at Thomas, her arms folded tightly across her chest.
“Your approach isn’t working.”
To her irritation, her uncle simply replied with a mild, “Apparently not.”