Joining for a Ride

"You can sit in the front, Mr. Fitzwilliam. And by the way…" Matthew turned away from the automobile for a moment, his eyes sparkling with a hint of confidence. He ascended the stone steps where Amber stood, her elegant silhouette framed by the soft sunlight filtering through the grand entrance.

As he reached the top, he offered a flourishing bow, extending his arm toward her with a charming smile. 

"Miss Fitzwilliam, I would like to invite you to join us for the ride. It would be my honor to have you experience the machine firsthand."

Amber's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise dancing across her features. It was rare for someone to extend such an invitation to a lady of her standing, especially one involving something as bold and unconventional as a ride in an automobile. However, the curiosity in her gaze quickly softened into a delighted smile.

"I must admit, Mr. Hesh, you do have a way of catching people off guard," Amber replied, her voice laced with amusement. 

"But I find your offer intriguing." She glanced over her shoulder, as if seeking silent approval from her ever-watchful companion, before stepping forward with a graceful nod. 

"Very well, I accept."

As they approached the vehicle, Matthew swiftly opened the front passenger door for Mr. Fitzwilliam, who climbed in and settled onto the seat. 

Then, turning his attention to Amber, he moved to the rear door. Amber stood there, her delicate lace-trimmed parasol still raised to shield herself from the afternoon sun. Matthew gave a polite bow before opening the door, extending his hand to help her inside.

"Allow me, Miss Fitzwilliam," he said, his tone warm yet respectful.

Amber accepted his hand, her gloved fingers resting lightly in his palm as she gracefully stepped into the vehicle. The soft rustle of her gown against the leather seat filled the air, and she carefully arranged her skirts, ensuring they did not crease. As she settled in, she gave Matthew a smile that was both grateful and amused.

"Thank you, Mr. Hesh," she said softly. 

Matthew couldn't help but smile in return, feeling a surge of pride. He closed the door gently behind her.

With both passengers seated, Matthew walked around to the driver's side, climbed in, and took a moment to scan their faces.

"So, what did you notice?" 

"It's crampy," Fitzwilliam noted. 

Matthew chuckled softly at Mr. Fitzwilliam's blunt assessment. "Yes, I admit, it's not as spacious as a carriage," he said, adjusting his grip on the steering wheel. "But what it lacks in space, it more than makes up for in speed and efficiency."

"Walk me through the process of operating this automobile," Fitzwilliam began without hesitation.

"Very well. First thing first, the concept of the automobile. Mr. Fitzwilliam I am sure that you are familiar with steam locomotives, or any other machines that operate on steam."

Matthew leaned back slightly, his hands resting confidently on the steering wheel as he continued his explanation. Amber leaned forward in her seat, her eyes alight with curiosity.

"I am familiar," Mr. Fitzwilliam answered.

"Excellent," Matthew replied, his tone brightening as he continued. "Steam engines are powerful, but they are cumbersome, requiring large boilers, water, and coal. The automobile, however, operates on an internal combustion engine. Instead of relying on steam pressure, it ignites a mixture of air and fuel within a confined space, creating controlled explosions that drive the pistons."

Mr. Fitzwilliam listened, his eyes narrowing as he digested the information. "And this combustion process... what fuel does it require?"

Matthew turned the ignition lever, the engine coming to life with a deep rumble. "This model uses a form of refined petroleum, sir," he explained. "It's efficient, burns cleanly, and—most importantly—allows the engine to start almost instantly."

Amber, seated in the back, leaned forward slightly, her parasol resting against her lap. "So it doesn't require hours to build up steam? It can start immediately, as we just witnessed?"

"Precisely, Miss Fitzwilliam," Matthew confirmed, glancing at her through the rearview mirror. "This is what makes it revolutionary. The moment you decide to go, you can simply turn the ignition, press the pedal, and you're off."

Amber's eyes sparkled with excitement. "How remarkable! It's almost like... freedom on wheels."

Mr. Fitzwilliam's gaze softened as he observed his daughter's genuine enthusiasm. He nodded slowly, clearly intrigued despite his initial skepticism. "And how fast can this contraption go?" he asked.

Matthew grinned, shifting gears with a confident flick of his wrist. "Let me show you, sir."

With that, he pressed down on the accelerator. The automobile surged forward smoothly, the cobblestone road beneath them a blur. Amber let out a soft gasp, her gloved hands gripping the sides of her seat, while Mr. Fitzwilliam's eyes widened in astonishment.

"This is... quite impressive," Mr. Fitzwilliam admitted, raising his voice to be heard over the engine's steady hum. "But how reliable is it? Surely, a machine like this is prone to breaking down?"

Matthew eased off the accelerator, bringing the car to a more comfortable speed. "That's a fair concern, sir," he acknowledged. "But I've designed it with durability in mind. The engine can run continuously for several hours, and I've ensured that the components are as sturdy as possible. Of course, there will always be improvements to make, but this is just the beginning."

Amber, who had been quietly absorbing every word, leaned closer to the front. "So, Mr. Hesh," she asked, her voice carrying a note of playful challenge, "if this automobile is so reliable, would it fare well on rougher terrain?"

Matthew turned slightly to meet her gaze, a confident smile tugging at his lips. "Why don't we find out, Miss Fitzwilliam?" he suggested, his eyes twinkling with excitement. "Would you care for a detour?"

Amber exchanged a glance with her father, who gave a slight nod of approval. "Very well," she agreed, her tone almost daring. "Let's see what your invention is truly capable of."

Matthew's heart raced with exhilaration as he turned the wheel sharply, guiding the automobile off the main road and onto a narrow, less-traveled path that wound through the outskirts of the estate. The gravel crunched beneath the wheels, and the vehicle jostled lightly as they traversed the uneven ground.

Mr. Fitzwilliam held onto the door handle, his earlier skepticism replaced with a growing sense of admiration. "This is quite the feat, young man," he conceded. "If you can navigate roads like these, then perhaps your automobile truly does have potential beyond just city streets."

Amber's laughter filled the cabin, her eyes shining with delight. "I can hardly believe it," she exclaimed. "This is... exhilarating! I never imagined I'd enjoy something like this so much."

Matthew's heart swelled at her words. "I'm glad you're enjoying it, Miss Fitzwilliam," he replied warmly.

As they reached a small clearing surrounded by trees, Matthew gradually brought the automobile to a stop. The engine purred softly as he turned to face his passengers.

"So," he said, his eyes flicking between Mr. Fitzwilliam and Amber, "what do you think of my invention now?"

Mr. Fitzwilliam was silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Finally, he turned to Matthew, a rare smile breaking through his usually stern demeanor.

 "I'll admit, you've exceeded my expectations," he said. "I see potential here, young man. Great potential. But I have one important question."

"What is it?" Matthew inquired, curious on what the question might be.

"Is this invention of yours…patented?"