As John accompanied Margaret through the Machinery in Motion exhibit he couldn't help but steel glances at her lovely countenance. She looked glorious in her well fitted dark green traveling dress. Occasionally he would catch her glancing at him as well and they would smile and she would quickly look down, her smile remaining.
They followed the iron railing meant to keep the observers safely away from the moving machines. All the steps of the cotton weaving process were on display from carding machines, that would take the raw cotton fluff and turn it into thread, to the brand new Harrison Power Looms for making the actual cloth which were considered a symbol of British industrial success. Mr. Thornton had just recently replaced all of his old looms with these new power looms. It was for this reason he took out the loan with Latimer's bank and was forced to bring in the Irish workers during the riot to keep his business running so he could make his loan payments.
As they walked slowly through the exhibit Mr. Thornton could often be seen leaning down from his exceptional height to speak in Margaret's ear while pointing at some piece of machinery. She would often have a wide eyed expression on her face as she would look incredulously up at him. She was continually asking him questions. He was reveling in her attention to everything he said and enjoying her curiosity about his business. He would start with general explanations so as not to overwhelm her with too much information. However, her astute mind asked many pertinent questions that drew from him more details of the complexities of the process.
As they concluded viewing the cotton manufacturing display they came upon some other examples of British industrial expertise. There was an impressive printing machine that could print five thousand newspaper copies an hour. Mr. Thornton was particularly impressed by the steam powered hydraulic lever. Finally there was a revolutionary agricultural reaping machine invented the United States.
Just as they finished with the machinery exhibit they realized, with mutual sadness, that it was about time for Margaret to meet up with her party at the Crystal Fountain.
Reluctantly Mr. Thornton had to drop her arm so that they could pass single file through the crowds. Instead he followed directly behind her.
As they approached the fountain Margaret could see her aunt and cousin waiting for her. When Edith spotted her she said, "Margaret, there you are. Why did you run off so quickly? You should have allowed Henry to accompany y - Oh!"
This last exclamation escaped Edith's lips when she saw the tall, dark, and handsome Mr. Thornton sidle up on Margaret's right.
Margaret looked adoringly up at Mr. Thornton and again slipped her hand through the crook of his arm. Then she turned to her relatives and introduced him, "Aunt Shaw, Edith, Captain Lennox, allow me to introduce my friend from Milton and Father's favorite pupil, Mr. Thornton." Aunt Shaw and Edith curtsied when Mr. Thornton verbally acknowledged them and the captain stepped forward to shake his offered hand.
Margaret continued, "Mr. Thornton is master of Marlborough Mills as well as a Magistrate and prominent businessman in Milton. I ran into him at the machinery exhibit and he was kind enough to escort me through, educating me immensely along the way."
"Well," Aunt Shaw replied, "I am grateful to you for taking care of my niece. Maybe you would like to join us for tea?"
"That would be most agreeable," he replied, smiling down at Margaret.
Just then Mr. Lennox walked up. "There you are, Margaret," he said almost out of breath, "I was looking all over for you."
Margaret, cringing at the familiar use of her name, replied coldly, "Mr. Lennox you would have done better to heed my words and wait for me like the others did." Then gesturing to Mr. Thornton she said, "Do you know Mr. Thornton?"
Finally acknowledging her companion, as if ignoring him might have made him go away, he said, "Mr. Thornton. All the way from Milton."
Mr. Thornton, hackles raised at the familiar use of her name, gave a slight nod.
Aunt Shaw interjected, "Mr. Thornton was kind enough to see Margaret safely back to us from her sojourn through the machinery. He has kindly consented to join us for tea. Now that we are all here, shall we?"
Edith took her husband's arm and Margaret was still holding on to Mr. Thornton's, much to his delight. That left only Aunt Shaw to be escorted by Mr. Lennox. Thus situated, they then proceeded to the Schweppes Central Tea Room to relax and enjoy some light refreshments.
A/N: Great Exhibition information came from Wikipedia and "The Great Exhibition 1851" blog.