Will slowly lead me up on deck and the whole time I could do nothing but hold onto his arm while keeping my body close to his in shock and fear of what could have happened had he not shown up.
We continued walking together until we reached the railing on the port side of the Officer's Promenade Deck. I knew that Will brought me here because passengers were not allowed on this section of the ship, and it was the one place where I was safe from everything that plagued me.
"Sshh," he cooed softly as I continued to hold onto him for dear life. "It's alright love, he can't harm you here, you're safe." And with that he pulled me into his embrace once more and continued to assure me that I was safe and that nothing could harm me, and that he would not allow it. Slowly I let the dam that was keeping my emotions in check break as the tears that I had been fighting to hold back began to run down my face. I tried to hide them from Will, not wanting him to see my weakness, but it was to no avail. I had tried to muffle a sniff when he heard me, but instead of pushing me away, he only held me tighter to his chest and buried his face into the crook of my neck.
"He can't harm you, love, please do not cry, I am here." I could have sworn that I felt him place gentle kisses along my neck as he attempted to soothe me, but I passed it off as a mere figment of my imagination as I burrowed further into his great coat.
It was only later when I had calmed down some that our peace was disturbed.
"Now, this is a scandal that the whole ship will be talking about by morning! Mr. Murdoch, will you please release the poor damsel before I, her knight in shining armour shall have to rescue her."
We both started and, jumping apart in fright, came face to face with a very amused Mr. Lightholler.
"Charles! For the love of God, man, don't sneak up on people like that!" Will snarled as he once again took a step closer to me and placed an arm around my shoulders in continuous comfort. I could tell that Mr. Lightholler was going to give another smart comment, but when he caught sight of my face and eyes he quickly thought twice about it.
"Miss Corbett, are you well?" he asked, and I could tell by his voice that he was genuinely concerned for me.
"Yes, I'm fine, Mr. Lightholler," I answered as I quickly tried to dry my eyes to cover the fact that I had been crying. Mr. Lightholler, however, did not buy it, but before he could pry any further Will filled him in.
"Mr. Hollingford, a first class passenger, tried to force Miss Cobertt into his bed." This did not only cause me to whimper a little and find the comfort once again in the embrace of Will, but I also heard a gasp of shock and horror coming from Mr. Lightholler.
"Did he...?" he asked, too disgusted to actually finish the question.
I simply shook my head. "No. Mr. Murdoch got there in time to stop it," I said, assuring him that I was alright.
"Oh, my dear, I am truly sorry! If there is anything that I can do..." he said as he approached us and quickly put his arms around me in a friendly hug of comfort.
"Maybe there is something that you could do, Lights." This time it was Will that piped up. "Could you keep an eye on her and be with her when her father or I am not?" It did not take long before Will's request was answered, as Mr. Lightholler quickly nodded his head.
"Of course, Will. Now, if you two will excuse me, I must return to my duties. "
"Thank you." And with that we were once again left alone; however unknown to us there was a fourth person who had watched the entire exchange.