Margaret was enjoying all of the wonderful exhibits on display at the Great Exhibition. The only thing that could make this day better would be a different companion. One that would listen to her and consider her thoughts and opinions rather than condescendingly spout his feigned knowledge and canned ideas and treat her like a child.
So while she looked at the exhibits she tried to think of some polite way to extract herself from Mr. Lennox. He seemed to always be following at her heels ready to explain every display to her even though she was perfectly capable of reading and understanding the placards herself. In several cases she already knew about many of the displays and inventions from having listened to her father's discussions with the quite knowledgeable Mr. Thornton.
She had been trying surreptitiously to steer her party toward the Machinery in Motion exhibit, even though she knew they weren't interested, but her companions were all moving very slow. Aunt Shaw began to fall behind even more and as Henry noticed Margaret straining to go forward he offered his arm to Mrs. Shaw to help her along.
Margaret now saw her opportunity. Due to civility, Mr. Lennox could not disengage himself from her aunt without causing offence. So Margaret stated her intent to visit the machinery exhibit and would meet them later for tea. She was off in and instant and out of earshot before they could voice their objections. This independent streak of hers having come from her time spent in the North.
Since living in Milton and meeting many of those who work in the mills she has developed an increasing curiosity to learn more about their workings. So when she saw the Machinery in Motion exhibit described in the catalog she had voiced to her party her desire to see it. However, she was met with multiple protests against the idea as the display was said to be quite noisy. Margaret was outnumbered. But in the end she managed to outmaneuver them instead.
Now she carefully made her way through the crowds toward the Machinery in Motion Exhibit. As she neared the entrance her head jerked up when she heard, in that deep Darkshire accent that never failed to make her toes curl:
"You're all here to see this fine machinery."
Margaret's eyes found the source of the voice immediately as if by instinct – "He is here!" she said under her breath with a gasp. As he talked to a group of London gentlemen, Margaret was entranced by John Thornton's impressive stature and confidence. She smiled.
He continued, "Technologically, we're the envy of the world."
She was drawn forward by his commanding presence and took a place at the back of the group. She was out of place being the only woman there listening to him but she didn't notice. Even if she did she wouldn't have cared.
"If only there was a mechanism to enable us all to live together, to take advantage of the great benefits that come from industry. But that will be for future generations. We can bring back marmosets from Mozambique, but we cannot stop man from behaving as he always has." As John looked at the faces listening to him he saw Margaret smiling. He blinked and his heart skipped a beat.
A man in the crowd asked, "Don't you think we can bring about an end to strikes?"
John's head snapped back to the man and he replied, "Not in my lifetime… but with time and patience, we might try to bleed them of their bitterness."
Glancing at Margaret again and seeing her smile fade, John thought twice about what he just said. He realized that he himself was full of bitterness because of her rejection and disdain for him, and that was no way to be. He loved her still and will love her for the rest of his life. He decided then and there to eschew his bitterness and prove to her that he truly was a gentleman.
So he amended his statement, "However, I have heard it suggested that it is 'good to try to see both sides of a question.' Maybe if masters and men could work to better understand each other strikes may at least not be the bitter, venomous sources of hatred they have hitherto been."
Margaret's smile returned with a blush to her cheeks as she recognized her own words. She glanced demurely downward. Here was someone who has listened to her and her opinions.
John steped down from the dais to a smattering of applause. Many of the men shook his hand and patted him on the back as he made his way toward Margaret. Mr. Latimer stepped up to the platform to explain to these gentlemen how they might go about investing in cotton.
Margaret looked up at John as he approached. She smiled, saying, "I would have thought you would try to forget that night rather than remember the things I said."
"I remember everything you said that night," he said in that deep voice, looking searchingly into her eyes. Clearing his throat and looking down at his feet he went on, "Much of it made sense, and sound business sense at that, when you get to the crux of it," he looked around and gestured to the crowd behind him.
Blushing and looking down again Margaret asked, "Are you here strictly for business or to dabble with the exhibits as well?" She looked back up at him for his answer.
"I'm not sure I'd know how to dabble," he said with a smirk and a sparkle in his eye, "How long have you been here? Have you seen everything?"
"Oh, no! I've hardly seen a thing at all! I just arrived in London yesterday so this is the first day we have attended the Exhibition," Margaret replied.
John's frown returned. "We?" he asked looking around for anyone who might be with her.
Margaret replied, "I am here with my Aunt Shaw, cousin Edith and her husband Captain Lennox, and his brother Mr. Henry Lennox. They are still at the Indian exhibit. I wanted to see the Machinery in Motion exhibit," she said looking embarrassedly down at her hands again, "They thought it would be too noisy and so I went ahead without them, although my aunt was not happy with me going unattended. I suppose I have adopted some of that Northern independence you once told me about. I am to meet my party at the fountain at teatime."
Sensing Margaret's amiability, John tentatively said, "I presumed to know you once before and have been mistaken. Send me away at once, if I must go, Margaret." He paused to give her time to speak but she did not, so he continued with a twinkle in his eye,"Maybe we can be of aid to each other."
Margaret cocked her head, raised her eyebrows, and looked at him questioningly.
"I would like to propose," he said with a growing smile, "that I escort you though the Machinery in Motion exhibit and give you a personal, detailed tour through the cotton manufacturing section," he offered proudly. "In return for my services you can teach me how to - dabble," he added with that smirk again.
Margaret dropped her head once more and laughed. Returning her gaze to him with a smile and slight sparkle in her eye she replied, "I accept your proposal Mr. Thornton."
John turned toward the exhibit and looking down at Margaret, offered her his arm like a gentleman.
Margaret tentatively moved a little closer than necessary and, looking into his eyes, took his offered arm gently with both hands. They then proceeded to dabble their way through the Machinery in Motion exhibit.
A/N: I could not help the hat tip to Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield. I am not certain whether I should end this story here or not. What do you think? Please leave a comment and let me know.