Apprentice tinkerer Harriet Hodgkins is skilled in the construction and maintenance of intricate clockwork contrivances. She’s also rather good at masquerading as a man ... for of course, no self-respecting craftsman would hire a woman.

Repairing a salvaged automaton becomes a labour of love for Hodgkins, and the object of her affections, Miss Pandora Piper, comes to hold her rescuer in equal esteem. But Hodgkins has yet to confess her true gender, and moreover the clockwork coquette is destined for resale.

If Hodgkins can’t engineer a more auspicious ending, Miss Pandora’s restoration will signal their separation.