Synopsis: The Mechanical Woman

At the Great Exhibition in 1850 the greatest techological advancement of the century was introduced to the Empire; the mechanical woman.

She sat on a specially made throne and answered complex mathematical equasions, could recite any book she was shown after one reading; and was hailed as the jewell in the crown of British technology.

Adventurous, unhappy Noelle Croft, aged 17, was there and was amazed along with everyone else. She never guessed the truth - that there was no mechanical woman. That the woman in the throne was a woman of flesh and blood - a genius, but a very human one.

So when an airship appears on the family lawn three years later, piloted by Lady Endicott, the Mechanical Woman herself, no one is more surprised than Noelle. When she learns the truth - that the scientific community was the victim of an elaborate con in order to allow Lady Endicott influence over scientific research that as a mere woman she could have no access to - Noelle realises she must help this woman.

Because Lady Endicott is on the run - she and her husband could hide her humanity from the scientists - but even they couldn't hide a pregnancy. So she has escaped the labratory in an airship of her own invention and plans to hide out until the birth. Her husband is not so lucky - he stands accused of treason for 'passing the only working mechanical woman to foreign powers'. Even if she returned, he would be in trouble for faking such an achievement. There is little hope for her husband - unless she can invent a real mechanical woman in exchange for him.

So she has chosen four notible young women to accompany her - who have all been recognised for their achievements in such a male society. Noelle (in the papers after fending off burglars from the family home single-handedly), Felicity (the daughter of a surgeon and who became noted for aiding him and learning how to perform procedures herself), Mabel (a maid who was accidentally discovered to have an IQ of 168), and Aimee (a Lord's daughter who has become reknowned for her inventions and technological ability).

As they plan to build a real mechanical woman, rescue Lord Endicott, and help Lady Endicott give birth, all within six months, what they don't know is that Lady Endicott has a plan she never mentioned; to inspire this small group into becomming the start of a new generation of equal, educated, and inventive women who will change British history forever.