I liked the period time frame of this, and the device too. A steam powered galvanic anything is certainly ahead of its time. Evil madmen always seem to have all the time in the world to devise new and exciting ways to torment, but every story needs a good/bad villain, an evil genius. I also liked the (I'm tougher than you are) damsel in distress aspect to this as well, and that the villain got out of town to let his henchmen finish the job in less than courageous fashion. I can't help but to wonder if the henchmen might want to have a little of Lady Blackrook for themselves, instead of letting that steampunk machine have all the fun, now that the head villain has removed himself from the picture. If they're going to finish her off anyway, who'd know?
I also have a soft spot in my heart for strong female characters, and a strong and tough damsel in distress is kind of hot and sexy to me. I thank you for writing this and look forward to the next chapter of this adventure, something tells me that the machine won't get to finish her off.
Thanks for sharing, Jackie.