Page 15 of An Inventor and An Inconvenience (Gentleman Scholars #5)

T he sharp rap at Jasper's workshop door nearly caused him to drop the delicate gear assembly he'd been polishing. "Come in," he called, carefully setting the piece aside.

Lucy entered, bearing a sealed letter on a silver salver. "From Lord Ashworth, my lord," she said with a curtsy and an expression of curiosity

Jasper's hands trembled slightly as he broke the seal. His eyes scanned the elegant script, his heart racing. "The gentlemen who wish to invest in my work. They want a demonstration. Next week, if I can manage it."

"That’s most excellent news, my lord, isn’t it?" Lucy sounded torn between excitement and sympathy.

Jasper's elation faltered. "I’m not sure, to be honest with you. I’m afraid it isn’t ready yet. I want to ensure everything is perfect before they see it." He glanced at his workbench, where his mining device sat partially disassembled. "I can't afford any mistakes. Lord Ashworth wants a demonstration before the other investors see it."

After Lucy departed, Jasper returned to his work with renewed vigour. The grinding mechanism had been completely redesigned following Faith's suggestion about distributed pressure points. He had to admit, the solution was elegant—far more sophisticated than his original design.

His eyes strayed to the corner of his workshop where a smaller device sat half-hidden behind some books. He'd been tinkering with it in odd moments, scaling down his mining technology into something that could demonstrate basic mechanical principles. Something that could perhaps help a certain determined young woman teach physics to her secret students...

"Focus," he muttered, forcing his attention back to the main device. The demonstration for Ashworth could change everything. With his backing, even his father would have to acknowledge the value of his work.

But as he reassembled the grinding head, his mind kept returning to Faith's passionate defence of education for all. He'd found himself looking at his invention differently since their conversations, seeing possibilities beyond its original purpose.

The basic principles that made it effective at breaking through rock could be adapted for other applications. The pressure distribution system could be simplified to teach concepts of force and motion. The gear mechanisms could demonstrate rotational dynamics...

A loud grinding sound snapped him back to attention. He'd almost damaged a crucial component through his distraction.

"This is exactly what Father warns about," he said aloud, though there was no one to hear. "Letting secondary concerns interfere with the primary goal."

And yet... was it really a secondary concern? The more he thought about it, the more he saw how his invention could serve multiple purposes. Yes, it could make mining safer and more efficient, earning his father's approval and securing his future. But it could also open doors of understanding for students who might never otherwise grasp these concepts.

The afternoon light was fading when he finally completed the reassembly. The main device gleamed on his workbench, ready for its final refinements before the demonstration. But instead of the pure satisfaction he'd expected to feel, he found himself drawn to the smaller educational prototype in the corner.

He lifted it carefully, appreciating how the simplified design actually highlighted the elegant mechanics of the original. In some ways, it was a purer expression of the underlying principles he'd been working with all along.

A soft knock interrupted his musings. He turned to find Faith in the doorway, her cheeks flushed as though she'd hurried there.

"I'm sorry to disturb you," she said quickly, "but I've been thinking about what you said regarding mechanical principles, and I wondered if—"

She stopped, her eyes caught by the small device in his hands. "What's that?"

Jasper looked down at the prototype, then back at Faith. He'd been planning to hide it away, to focus solely on preparing for the investor demonstration. It was the sensible thing to do. The safe thing.

But seeing her genuine curiosity, remembering how her insights had already improved his work immeasurably, he found himself holding it out instead.

"It's something I've been working on," he said slowly. "A teaching tool, perhaps. If you'd be interested in seeing how it works?"

The way her eyes lit up made something twist in his chest. "You've been developing this for teaching?"

"Among other things." He set the prototype on his workbench. "My potential investors have requested a demonstration of the main device next week. I’m hoping there might even be a member of the Royal Society in attendance."

"Jasper, that's wonderful!" Her sincere enthusiasm warmed him. "Your father will be so proud."

"He might be," Jasper agreed. "If it works perfectly. Which is why I should focus entirely on preparing for that."

He gestured at the smaller device. "This is just a distraction."

"Is it?" Faith moved closer, studying the prototype with keen interest. "Or is it an evolution? A way to extend the impact of your work beyond a single application?"

Jasper watched her examine the device, her clever mind already grasping its potential uses. He thought of his father's narrow focus on practical results, contrasting it with Faith's broader vision of how knowledge could transform lives.

"Perhaps," he said carefully, "we could discuss how it might be adapted for your students? After I've completed preparations for the demonstration, of course."

Faith's smile was answer enough. As they bent over the prototype together, Jasper felt an unfamiliar sense of rightness. Yes, the demonstration was crucial. Yes, he desperately wanted his father's approval. But perhaps those goals didn't have to come at the expense of everything else that mattered.

For now, though, he would focus on preparing for his important presentation. And if he happened to spend a few evening hours refining his educational prototype... well, even his father couldn't object to efficiency of purpose.

~~~~

Two days later, Jasper finally met Lord Ashworth in person.

The clock in Lord Ashworth's study chimed nine as Jasper prepared to take his leave. Their discussion of his mining device had gone well—better than he'd dared hope when he'd received the unexpected invitation to present his work privately before the official investor meeting.

"Before you go, Linford," Lord Ashworth said, moving to a cabinet near the window. "Perhaps you'd join me in a brandy?"

"I'd be honoured, my lord," Jasper replied, watching as the older man poured two generous measures into crystal glasses.

Ashworth handed one to Jasper, then gestured toward two leather chairs positioned before the fireplace. "Please, sit. There's something more I wish to discuss—off the record, as it were."

Jasper took the offered seat, curiosity mingling with apprehension. Lord Ashworth's reputation as a shrewd businessman was matched only by his influence in industrial circles. His support could make or break Jasper's invention.

"Your device shows remarkable promise," Ashworth said, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. "The distributed pressure system, in particular, is quite ingenious."

"Thank you, sir."

"But what truly caught my attention," Ashworth continued, his voice dropping slightly, "was your mention of potential educational applications."

Jasper tensed. Had he overstepped by sharing those ideas? Would Ashworth now withdraw his interest?

"I noticed you censored yourself almost immediately," Ashworth said with a knowing smile. "A wise instinct in the current climate."

He leaned forward, lowering his voice further. "Between us, Linford, I've long believed that technical education deserves broader access. My own grandfather was a mine worker who taught himself engineering principles. Had he received proper instruction earlier, who knows what he might have achieved?"

Jasper stared at the older man, scarcely believing what he was hearing.

"However," Ashworth said, his tone becoming more formal, "I must emphasize that such views are not widely shared among our industrial peers. The board of investors backing your device would expect a focus on practical, commercial applications."

"I understand, sir," Jasper said carefully.

"Do you?" Ashworth studied him intently. "Because here is the reality, Linford: to secure the funding your device deserves, you must present it in terms our colleagues can embrace. Industrial efficiency. Profit margins. Return on investment."

"While keeping the educational aspects private?" Jasper ventured.

"For now," Ashworth nodded. "I suspect you've already encountered resistance to these ideas from more traditional quarters?"

Jasper thought of his father's dismissal, the university's raised eyebrows. "Yes, sir."

"Then you understand the delicate position we find ourselves in." Ashworth set down his glass. "Your invention has the potential to save lives in mines across England. That alone justifies whatever diplomatic compromises might be necessary to ensure its implementation."

He stood, signalling the end of their conversation.

"In public forums, I will naturally emphasize the industrial applications of your device. I would suggest you do the same. What other projects you might simultaneously pursue..." A slight smile crossed his face. "Well, that would hardly be my concern, would it?"

As Jasper rose to leave, Ashworth added, "Progress often requires patience, Linford. Sometimes one must work within existing structures to gradually transform them."

"Yes, sir," Jasper said, understanding dawning. "Thank you for your candour."

"Not at all." Lord Ashworth extended his hand. "I look forward to our official meeting later this week. I trust your presentation will focus appropriately on the commercial benefits of your device?"

"Absolutely, Lord Ashworth," Jasper replied, the weight of unspoken understanding passing between them. "I'll be sure to emphasize the practical aspects that will appeal to our investors."

As Jasper departed into the cool evening air, his mind raced with possibilities. Lord Ashworth's implicit support offered a path forward—narrow and carefully disguised, but a path nonetheless. If he could secure the mining implementation while secretly protecting the educational applications...

A plan began forming in Jasper's mind, one that might allow him to honour both his father's expectations and his deepening commitment to Faith's vision.