I looked up at Will expectantly. He held his hat under his arm, and I could see a frown burrowing into his forehead. He stepped inside and shut the door behind him. I spoke before he could get the chance.
"Why did you send Mrs. Brown to bother me today?"
He seemed taken aback, but recovered quickly, "It's nothing suspicious, Aid. I ran into Molly during my lunch break, and she mentioned she hadn't seen you at breakfast or lunch. I told her you were feeling a wee bit under the weather and...well, she must have taken that as her cue to come down here."
"Oh," I paused, feeling somewhat embarrassed. "Well, sit down, Will."
He hesitated, "Aid, you...you seem a bit more...matter-of-fact than you did this morning."
"I just had a chat with Jim and I feel slightly better. Please sit, Will. I need to talk to you."
Eventually he sat down beside me on the couch, placing his hat on the table beside him. He loosened his tie slightly, before looking at me expectantly.
"Well?"
"Will...I must admit I had intended to keep this from you, but I cannot trust Jim to do the same. I've literally only just decided that you should now, so please bear with me for a moment."
I took a deep breath, smoothing my skirt out as I did so. I didn't want to tell him, I really didn't. Was there a way out of it? I considered the possibility of simply telling him the wedding was off, but I couldn't do it. There was no use anyway. Once he knew the truth he would be gone, as quick as lightening. I was damaged goods now, no good to him whatsoever.
"Aid?" Will's voice broke through my thoughts. I'd been silent for longer than I had thought.
I took another breath and looked straight into his eyes. "Will, Mr Ismay's son brought me to my room last night and he did something terrible."
His face was blank for a moment, before it suddenly dawned on him.
"What?"
"He forced me to...do things...I didn't want to do. I am so dreadfully sorry, Will. I know you'll hate me now but -" I could feel the panic rising again. Tears started to slip down my cheeks.
There was an awful silence for a short while, as Will seemed to consider what I had just said. His face darkened and I could see his fists clenching, his breathing became heavy. God, I had never seen him like this before. My perfect Will, building up into a rage – he would probably hit me. I couldn't blame him – I deserved it for allowing that to happen.
Instead, however, he took me by surprise – he pulled me towards him, holding me close. One hand rubbed my back gently as the other kept me clasped to his chest. I was stunned – what did this mean?
"I am so, so sorry, Ada. I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive myself..."
I gently pulled myself away from him, looking into his eyes which were watering.
"You're sorry, Will? You did nothing wrong! Nothing at all!"
"I should never have left you, darling. Never. I am so sorry!" He paused for a second, and pulled away. He stood up. "I have to go and talk to that bastard now."
"What? You can't, Will! He'll call me a liar and you'll lose your job!"
He was hearing none of it, however. I just sat there, dumbstruck, as he found a steward and ordered some dinner for me. After that was done, he kissed my cheek and left, but not before cursing Lights for leaving me with Bruce Junior.
The steward had brought me a meal of lamb and delicious looking vegetables, but I couldn't stomach the thought of eating at that moment. I felt ill – what would happen to Will? The Ismays would be at dinner! He couldn't challenge him in the dining saloon – he wouldn't! Or would he? I started pacing the floor, trying to work out what we could do if he lost his job.
"Ada?"
It was Lights, tapping urgently on the door. I hurried to let him in.
"Ada, Will is bloody furious with me! What on earth happened? He threatened to punch my lights out!"
"So he's not too furious to pass up a perfectly good pun?" I queried drily. Lights wasn't amused.
"This isn't funny! He's out looking for blood this evening!"
"Lights...who is supposed to be on watch now?"
He paused, an expression of pure horror passing over his face. "Oh my good Lord...I'll see you later, Ada. If asked, you haven't seen me!"
A few moments later, Will turned up. He looked over at my meal in surprise.
"Are you not eating, Aid?"
"I'm not too hungry...Will, where have you been?"
"Just looking for that bastard. Like I said. I couldn't find him at dinner, as he is apparently suffering from a bout of seasickness."
"What now?"
"I might bring you Mr. Lightoller's head on a platter. I haven't decided yet."
"It's not his fault, Will. He tried to stop him, but everyone told him to go to his watch."
"Well...I don't know. Hopefully both of the Ismays will be at the service tomorrow."
"Will you be there?"
"I should be. The captain hasn't said yet. Anyway, I insist that you go. Honestly, it will do you the world of good."
"I really don't think so, Will."
"It will, Aid. Really. If you go, I'll go. I'll make sure of it."
I knew he meant it. I truly knew he did. The only problem with these promises he was making was that I had already resigned myself to the thought that our wedding would no longer be happening. I didn't even mind that fact anymore. That part of me felt completely numb – and I knew that all that had just happened had only served to temporarily patch up a problem which wasn't that easy to fix.
A/N – I keep almost forgetting about this story – I really am useless! I apologise for that. I've been too distracted by the AC on Neopets, watching Blackadder and doing my coursework. I intend to focus on this story a lot more in the next while at least – I am going on holiday in August, but until then I should have plenty of time to write!
I would also like to thank everyone who has reviewed again!
