We finished our meal almost in silence, which wasn't entirely unpleasant. I didn't want to talk, not now that Will was gone – it would only draw Bruce Junior's attention to me. That, of course, was something I most certainly did not want.
When the meal was finished, the men stood up. Lights hovered awkwardly for a moment, as Mr Andrews and the Ismays prepared to move on to the smoking room for brandy. Molly and myself stayed sitting – Molly said she was staying to talk to the other ladies, while I just felt a little bit lost. I didn't know whether to go or stay, but luckily Lights intervened.
"Would you like me to escort you back to your room, Ada?"
I hesitated before replying, "No, thank you. I'll just stay here for a while."
I didn't want to, but at the same time I didn't want anyone going out of their way for me. Still, Lights persisted – he obviously felt he was duty-bound to look after me.
"I don't mind walking you back. I have to go to the bridge, it's not really out of my way."
"No, Lights, I'm fine. Honestly."
He immediately sat in the chair Will had vacated, and took my hands with a smile playing on his lips.
"Ada, Ada, Ada. I'm not stupid. I'm married, you know, and I have come to learn that everytime Sylvie says she's fine, she means the exact opposite!"
His attitude, with no elaborate gestures or refinement of language, was oddly refreshing and I couldn't help but smile.
"Now, really, Lights. That is most illogical!"
"True, but women aren't logical."
"I don't really know how to counter that assertion," I laughed.
We both looked up suddenly, both realising that someone was standing over us. Bruce Junior.
"Excuse me, Mr Lightoller, but my father thinks you must have duties to attend to."
"Certainly, Mr Ismay. As soon as Ada's back safely in her room."
"I'll make sure of that. There's no need for you to be held back from your duties."
"My apologies, Mr Ismay, but I told Mr Murdoch that I would personally see her to her room."
"Good grief, man!" Bruce Senior interrupted. "Surely Mr Murdoch won't lose sleep over my son escorting his fiancée?"
Lights looked from me to the Ismays, hesitantly. I nodded reluctantly.
"You have a job to do, Lights. Don't worry about me," I forced myself to smile, hoping to assure him that I was not worried.
He hesitated again, then sighed, "Very well. I'm sure Will will be down to see you when he finishes tonight." I caught a slight smile from him mid-sentence, as soon as he said 'will' twice.
Bruce Junior offered me his arm, and so I reluctantly stood and took it with a false smile. I couldn't stand this man, his attitude was...well...creepy, to say the very least. I just wished Will had stayed behind to walk me back, all the time knowing full well that wishing wouldn't help at all.
"That was a splendid spread, Miss Banks, don't you think?" He suddenly broke the silence. Well, he needed to. We had been silent for the last five minutes.
"I can't say I agree, Mr Ismay," I replied blandly. More silence.
"You are enjoying the trip, are you not?"
"As a matter of fact, yes I am," my tone was dull. "I will be sorry when it's over."
He stopped and looked at me. "I somehow find that very hard to believe, Miss Banks. You certainly don't sound as though you're enjoying it."
"It's a wonderful ship -" I began, my tone of voice not changing.
"Yes, yes, yes! I am tired of having people say how utterly wonderful this damn ship is! I am not interested in the ship!"
"In that case, Mr Ismay, you shall have a problem or two when you come to inherit your father's company."
"I have no need to be interested in ships to run the company, Miss Banks," he continued to walk as he spoke. "As long as I make a profit, I couldn't give a damn about ships. Damn useless things, they are. The future is not in ships, Miss Banks."
I rolled my eyes. I really was not interested in what he had to say. Frankly, I felt the same way about ships – horrible, beastly steel bathtubs. They were a cruel necessity in my life, and that was all. That and the fact that he had just starting swearing as if there wasn't a lady present. I disliked him more with every passing moment.
"Your room, Miss Banks. Do you have your key?"
"Of course," I replied, stopping and inserting the key into the lock. The door opened and I turned to Bruce Junior again. "Thank you for walking with me, Mr Ismay."
"The pleasure was all mine," he replied, a strange smile spreading across his face. I frowned slightly, but I didn't care. I was tired and all I wanted to do was sleep until Will arrived.
I turned to walk inside when Bruce grabbed my arm, pulling me forcefully towards him. He started kissing my neck as I struggled, but I managed to free my arm and slap him.
"How dare you? What kind of a gentleman are you?" I hissed, pulling away from him.
"Miss Banks, I am tired of you constantly avoiding me. I have made my intentions quite clear, and I do not intend to lose. I never do, you see," he sneered, stepping towards me. I took a step back, heading into my room. He lunged forward and grabbed my arms again. "I always want to make a profit. In a way, this is a profit."
He released one of my arms for a few seconds, only so he could slam the door shut behind him. I tried to break free but I just couldn't – and this ridiculous outfit didn't help matters. I could feel a panic rising inside me again, but I didn't want him to see it. I couldn't give him that satisfaction.
"You're making a mistake, Mr Ismay. My fiancé will be back soon!"
"I'm not an idiot. He won't be back until some time after two. There is plenty of time!"
He started pushing me roughly ahead of him towards the bedroom. I felt sick – he couldn't be serious, could he?
"Don't you worry, Miss Banks. I would never hurt a lady!" He was smirking now, as he shut the bedroom door behind him.
I just stood there and folded my arms defiantly. No, I wouldn't make this easy for him. I was surprised to find myself actually thinking about what I was doing – I would never have imagined that I would try to stop something like this. Well, I had never seriously imagined this situation before. Anytime it had briefly crossed my mine, I had thought of myself meekly giving in. What I was doing wasn't exactly putting up a fight, but as long as I showed him that I wasn't scared, even though all I wanted to do was cower away in Will's arms.
"Please co-operate, Miss Banks," he stepped towards me and pushed me towards the bed.
That was the moment that I lost all strength that I had managed to muster. I had felt almost proud of myself up until that moment, but as soon as I felt his breath on my skin I just felt horribly sick, and could only think of blocking the entire incident from my mind.
