Status Updates From North and South

i think more people die in this than in all five asoiaf books

Industrial north v intellectual south. Margaret is forced into Milton (Manchester). She meets textile factory owner Thornton. Harsh man in a tough business. She's appalled, but attracted. EX. He beats a man who he catches smoking in his factory and fires him. She is outraged. He tells her of a fire caused by smoking in another factory that killed 30.