The Invention of Sophie Carter

by Samantha Hastings

  Hyde Street led her to Hyde Park, and as she approached, she was surprised to see so much space in the middle of a bustling city. Yet there it was, with lakes, lanes, and more trees than she could count. And in the distance, she spied the Crystal Palace gleaming like magic in the early morning light.

  Her heart flooded with hope for the first time in years. This beautiful building proved that the impossible could be achieved with hard work and a little ingenuity. Joseph Paxton had built it around the existing trees without felling a single one, and he had shown the skeptics that it could be done both quickly and efficiently. The Crystal Palace drew her toward it like a magnet; her head could barely keep up with her feet.

  There were not many people in the park at this early hour. She passed a nursemaid flying a kite with some children. There was an old man walking slowly, using his cane for each laborious step. And then a young man caught her eye. His hat was on the bench beside him and his hair was the color of sunshine. He sat reading his paper.

  When Sophie strolled by, he took a pocket watch out of his vest and checked the time. As a connoisseur of all things clockwork and mechanical, she could not help but glance at the highly ornate golden piece. The young man wound it up and held it to his ear, but the pocket watch was clearly not working.

  “I can fix that, if you’d like,” Sophie offered.

  He looked up at her, and his eyes were like a rainbow of color: blue, green, and gray. He smiled and said, “Pardon me?”

  For the first time in Sophie’s life, she didn’t feel quite as confident. In fact, her stomach had flipped in a most pleasantly unpleasant way for no reason in particular.

  “I’m sorry to have disturbed you, sir,” Sophie said. “I noticed that your pocket watch had stopped, and I’m rather good with clocks. I thought I could repair it for you.”

  Without hesitation, he unclipped it from his vest and handed it to her. Sophie sat down on the bench beside him and took off her borrowed gloves. She pulled out the bit of wire she had picked up off the street and used it to pry open the back of the watch case.

  The problem was immediately clear: The hairspring was detached from the balance wheel. Carefully she reattached it with the help of her reaming tool. As soon as she did, the balance wheel began to oscillate and the wheels in the watch moved.

  Sophie snapped the back of the watch closed and handed it to the young man. She sat up a little taller on the bench, feeling awfully pleased with herself.

  “That was incredible,” he remarked. “May I know your name?”

  “Sophie Carter.” She pulled on her gloves and stood up. Her stomach behaved abnormally again when she added, “Miss Sophie Carter.”

  He stood up as well and quite towered above her. “What can I do to repay you?”

  From the corner of her eye, she saw the glittering light of the Crystal Palace. “Buy me a ticket for the Great Exhibition,” she blurted.

  “The Great Exhibition?” he repeated.

  Sophie put her gloved hand to her hot cheek. “I’m sorry, that came right out. Your thanks is plenty. I’ll continue my walk. Good day, sir.”

  She turned away, hesitating when he touched her glove.

  “Wait,” he said, “is that where you’re going now?”

  Sophie shrugged. “I’m going on a walk to see the exterior of the Crystal Palace—what a feat of ingenuity and engineering.”

  “But not to the exhibition itself?”

  “I can’t go in. I don’t have money for a ticket.”

  “In return for repairing my pocket watch, I would be most honored to escort you to the Crystal Palace and purchase you a ticket to the Great Exhibition,” he said.

  “I’m sure you have other plans for your Saturday.”

  “I wish to go with you.”

  “But I don’t even know your name,” Sophie half-heartedly protested.

  “Mr. Ethan Miller, at your service,” he said, offering his arm.

  “This is my first time in London,” Sophie confided as she placed her hand on his arm. “I’m staying with my aunt, but she doesn’t approve of the different classes mingling like they do at the Great Exhibition.”

  “Should we leave a message for your aunt?”

  “No!” Sophie said, too loudly. “I mean, she doesn’t even know I’m out.”

  “Very sly,” he said with a hint of a smile.

  “Oh, I was,” Sophie said. “I had to escape so that I could experience more of London than my aunt’s sitting room.”

  Ethan turned them back toward the direction Sophie had come from.

  “Isn’t the Crystal Palace the other way?” she asked.

  Ethan smiled. “I don’t think you realize how large Hyde Park is. It’s over a mile walk to the Crystal Palace from here.”

  They walked to the street and he hailed a hansom cab. For a moment, Sophie wondered if it was wise to go off with a strange man, even in an open carriage on a public street. She placed her hand in her pocket and touched her reaming tool—she could defend herself if need be. Sophie looked at Ethan Miller’s handsome face and he smiled back at her. She felt unaccountably warm and entirely safe in his company.

  When the horse and hansom cab came to a stop at their destination, Ethan jumped out of it and then offered his hand to her.

  The Crystal Palace was even more beautiful up close than she had imagined it would be. It was an enormous building made entirely out of iron and glass. In the middle there was a semicircular transept facade, and below it were three levels of crystal arches.

  “It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen!” Sophie exclaimed. “It’s like a magical palace from a fairy tale.”

  “Wait until you see what’s inside,” Ethan said, offering his arm again. Sophie eagerly took it, and they wove through people and carriages.

  Ethan purchased them each a ticket for five shillings, and as they entered the Crystal Palace, again Sophie’s breath was taken away. In the center, there was a pink crystal fountain that was as tall as four grown men standing on each other’s shoulders. Sculptures surrounded the fountain, including one of Queen Victoria in all her majesty, and two more sculptures of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert on horseback. All around there were flowers and planted palm trees. Sophie felt like she’d stepped into a different world. In all directions, there was so much to see. So much to explore.

  “They say there are over a hundred thousand objects on display,” Ethan whispered in her ear.

  “How could you possibly see them all in one afternoon?” Sophie exclaimed.

  “I don’t think you could,” Ethan said, opening his official catalogue from Messrs. Spicer and Clowes. “The exhibits are in four main categories: raw materials, machinery, manufacturers, and fine arts. Which should we visit first?”

  “Machinery!” Sophie said eagerly. She tugged on his arm, pulling him toward the biggest exhibit of all, a massive hydraulic press, designed by engineer Robert Stevenson.

  There was a man standing by it, and Sophie lost not a moment in asking how it worked. The man explained that the hydraulic press was used to lift the heavy iron tubes for Stephenson’s Britannia Tubular Bridge. She was dumbstruck when he told her that each metal tube weighed 1,144 tons and yet the press could be operated by only one person.

  Sophie and Ethan also saw Nasmyth’s steam hammer, which was so delicate it could lightly crack an eggshell; steam-driven plows; adding machines; astronomical clocks; electric clocks; marine chronometers—clocks for ships; machines that could mass-produce nails and pens; a machine that could print five thousand paper copies an hour; textile machines; and every possible type of steam engine.

  Ethan led her to a refreshments area that was separated from the exhibits by an ornately scrolled wrought iron fence. He helped her into a seat at a small round table near the statue of an angel and underneath a sprawling tree. A waiter with a shiny, round face and wearing a blue jacket came to take their order.

  “I never dreamed so much of this was already possible in 1851,”
she said, awestruck. They sipped lemonade and ate Bath buns purchased from Messrs. Schweppes. “It seems like something out of my imagination … My old neighbors in Lyme Regis would never believe me if I tried to tell them.”

  “You’re from Lyme Regis?” Ethan asked.

  “Yes,” Sophie said. “But before then I lived in Sidmouth.”

  “You must like the sea.”

  Sophie sipped her lemonade and nodded.

  “Is your family still in Lyme Regis?”

  “No—I mean, I’m an orphan. My father died before I was born, and my mother died in childbed. My sister and I have been living with Mr. and Mrs. Ellis. He was my father’s friend in the navy,” Sophie said. “But hopefully, we won’t need to impose on them any longer.”

  “Then you’ll be staying with your aunt in London permanently?” Ethan asked.

  “Only for the season,” Sophie replied. “My aunt is Lady Bentley, and she means to find me a suitable husband. But I have other plans.”

  “What plans?”

  “Promise me that you won’t laugh.”

  “I could never laugh at you,” Ethan said.

  She took a breath. “I want to be an inventor.”

  “Of what?”

  “I’m not sure,” Sophie admitted with a slight shrug. “I just like to see how things work, and I think with the proper training and materials I could create new inventions. I’m hoping to find a master inventor at the exhibition to apprentice myself to.”

  “I don’t know of any inventor who apprentices ladies.”

  “You’re probably right,” Sophie said with a sigh. She set her glass down on the table, folded her arms, and scowled. “They only apprentice females for sewing or haberdashery. I doubt if even a clockmaker would take me on, though I know everything there is to know about clocks.”

  “My grandfather owns several factories,” Ethan said with a shy smile. “I could ask him if he knows of anyone looking for an apprentice.”

  Sophie found herself softening despite her frustration. “Do you work at one of the factories?”

  “Yes and no,” Ethan said. “I don’t work at any of the factories, but I handle all the finances associated with them.”

  “You must be quite clever,” Sophie said. “What type of factories?”

  “All sorts—cotton, wool, paper, machine tools, rolling mills, foundries, and locomotive works.”

  “Maybe I could see one of the factories someday,” Sophie said wistfully. Then, realizing she’d rudely invited herself, she hurried to add, “I’m afraid today that I keep speaking without thinking. You don’t have to take me anywhere else. Who knows, we may never see each other again after today. London is such a large city.”

  “I hope that is not the case,” Ethan said. “In fact, I’m sure it will not be.”

  “How so?” Sophie asked, and found herself leaning toward him.

  “My cousin Charles was your aunt’s ward,” Ethan said.

  “You don’t say,” Sophie said. “Then I suppose you know where I live, too. I’m glad one of us does. With all the turning around we did, I wasn’t sure I could find it again.”

  “It’s getting late,” Ethan said, looking at his now perfectly working pocket watch. “I should probably escort you home.”

  “Can we see the Koh-i-noor diamond first?” Sophie asked. “I don’t know if I’ll get to come back, and I’m simply agog to see it.”

  She stood up and Ethan offered his arm. He led her away from the refreshments area to the pavilion where the largest diamond in the world was on display, guarded by a clutch of navy-clad policemen. The diamond lay in a case that looked like a birdcage. It didn’t sparkle, even though it was lit by a dozen gas jets.

  “How very drab it seems,” Sophie remarked. “I’ve always imagined diamonds and gems to sparkle.”

  “Have you never seen a diamond before?” Ethan asked.

  “I’m afraid not,” she said.

  “Most gems, if they are cut well, do sparkle when the light shines through them.”

  “Something to look forward to seeing, then,” Sophie said. “I was afraid after today that nothing could astonish me. I’m happy that there’s more in store for me.”

  * * *

  Upon reluctantly exiting the Crystal Palace, Ethan found them a hansom cab and directed it to Lady Bentley’s house, on Hyde Street.

  “Do you mind letting me out a few houses away?” Sophie asked as they neared their destination. “I would like to reenter the house without my aunt knowing I’ve been away. If I were to come through the front door, it would be terribly awkward.”

  “How are you going to get in?”

  “I’ll sneak through the servants’ entrance in the back.”

  Ethan directed the driver to go a few more houses down, then got out and assisted Sophie down.

  “The next time I see you, don’t be alarmed if I pretend not to recognize you,” Sophie said. “That way my aunt will never guess of our secret adventure.”

  “I look forward to being introduced to you properly,” he said, taking her hand and bowing over it.

  Ethan released her hand and Sophie turned to go. She took one step, then pivoted back to him. Standing on her tiptoes, she gave him a butterfly kiss, her eyelashes gently brushing his cheek.

  “Thank you for the best day of my life.”

  Sophie didn’t wait to see his response; she turned and nearly ran to the alley that led to the back of Lady Bentley’s house. She cautiously opened the back door and looked for servants—there were none in sight. She took the stairs by twos, turned the corner, and bumped into a tall, gaunt man dressed in his dinner coat. He grabbed her arms to steady her and then let her go so abruptly that she almost toppled over.

  “Terribly sorry, sir,” Sophie said.

  “If you were not aware, Miss Carter,” he said, “your aunt will expect you to change your dress for dinner.”

  “I’m on my way to my room to change this very instant,” Sophie said over her shoulder as she hurried to her room. As she closed the door behind her, she thought she heard him mutter to himself, “Wasn’t she wearing blue before?”

  “Sophie! Where have you been for so long?” Mariah cried. “I’ve been terribly worried.”

  Sophie took her sister’s hands and twirled her around.

  “I had the most unforgettable day of my life,” Sophie said. “I saw an enormous hydraulic press at the Great Exhibition, and I met the most handsome young man!”

  “In that order, I suppose,” Mariah said wryly.

  Sophie continued to spin her sister around. “No time to talk. I just bumped into a stern man who told me to dress for dinner, so we’d best get you changed into the fanciest dress in the wardrobe.”

  “You met Charles—I mean, Lord Bentley?”

  “Possibly,” Sophie said. “I literally ran into him at the end of the hall. But we can talk more after dinner. Come, let me undo your buttons.”

  Sophie helped Mariah put on their only evening gown—an ornate dress made of purple satin—then pushed her sister out the door. She took off her own green dress and spread out on the bed in only her shift. The mattress was so soft and large, she felt as if she were lying on clouds in the heavens.

  All she could think about was Mr. Ethan Miller. Mariah would be shocked if she knew Sophie had given him a butterfly kiss!

  FOUR

  One Week Later

  MARIAH COULD HARDLY BELIEVE THAT she had lived on Hyde Street for only seven days. It was like a beautiful dream—every morning she was afraid she would wake up and find herself back in that old, cramped attic.

  Each day the sisters shared the breakfast tray, and then one of them would eat lunch with their aunt and the other one would eat dinner. Sophie never stayed in the room, instead going around to various shops—a bootmaker’s, a cigar store, a drugstore, a dry goods store, a bakery, and even a crinoline shop—asking about a possible position. She was looking for any job to pay their way until she found an apprentices
hip. But either they did not hire ladies or they were not hiring at all. Mariah was less daring, usually staying in the room feeling bored. She solved this problem by asking their aunt if she could borrow books from the library.

  Sophie turned over in bed, taking most of their peacock-blue coverlet with her. Mariah shivered as she smiled; Sophie had been right—no one had guessed that there were two of them.

  Mariah startled when she heard a gentle knock at the door. She nudged Sophie to wake her up, but Sophie didn’t budge or open her eyes. Then Mariah heard the doorknob turn.

  She scrambled over Sophie to the other side of the bed and rolled off, landing on the carpet with a muffled but still undignified thud. Mariah hauled herself under the bed just as the door cracked open. She watched Adell’s feet as she placed the tray on the table next to the bed and then left the room.

  She scurried out from underneath the bed and saw that Sophie still hadn’t stirred. Mariah pushed her wild curls out of her face and picked up her pillow, swatting her sister with it. Sophie closed her eyes tighter, so Mariah rolled her eyes and started eating breakfast alone. As she took a sip of hot chocolate and began eating a muffin, she could hardly wait to dress and go down to the library to get some new books. She had already read every book by Fanny Burney—Evelina was by far her favorite.

  She selected a peach gown from the dozen dresses now in the wardrobe; Mariah had gone shopping with their aunt two days after they arrived. Their first purchase had been a crinoline cage—the most extraordinary item. It was a steelwork petticoat that looked like a large birdcage that fitted around the waist, making a skirt look circular without the use—and weight—of countless petticoats. Mariah stepped into it, pulling it up to her waist and tying the strings, and then put on her dress.

  She arranged her hair before trying to wake her sister by shaking her shoulder. Sophie still refused to open her eyes, so Mariah stuffed a muffin into her open mouth. Sophie’s eyes popped open.