Quintus had been laid to rest over a week ago and already Court had seemed to be returning to normal as though everyone had already forgotten him. I saw the glimmer of sadness in Una's eyes from time to time, and tried to distract her the best I could because I was also battling with myself. Septimus had once again become a stranger to me, and it hurt. In truth, I'm not sure how much more of it I could bare. I didn't want to trouble Una with my own heartbreak as she dealt with hers.
One evening, once the dancing had started again, I saw an opportunity to attract Septimus's jealously, something I knew he had an abundance of, but I hated myself for snooping so low. Desperate times, called for desperate measures.
I made my way over to near where Secundus was standing, knowing he always liked to join in with the dancing and moved my gaze to catch his. I know I absolutely hated him with every bone in my body, but I was left with no other choice.
"Ah Bella, finally seeing the light at last?" He said loud enough so his men around him would laugh at his 'joke' as he offered me his hand "Do you want a real man to take round the dance floor?"
He had been the only prince I hadn't danced with yet as he belittled his brothers, thinking he was the best of them – yet he was of course the worst. I smiled sweetly and accepted his hand as he pulled me over to the dancefloor without any grace. It made my skin crawl as he put his hand on my waist and the other in his hand. I felt him try to pull me in close, but I wouldn't allow it, I felt dirty.
But I knew my plan had worked as I saw Septimus rise from his seat at the high table to observe as he made his way over to Una who also looked like she shared his concern.
I could smell the wine on Secundus's breath as he whisked me round - he was a terrible dancer, he kept making me feel sick with his mechanical movements. I knew that this had been a stupid mistake, but I was desperate. I didn't know what else I could do as I felt his hands moving too far as I warned him "Keep your hands where they are supposed to be".
"You are no fun, Bella" he replied, pouring his disgusting breath all over my face as he continued "Shall I show you some fun?"
I couldn't bare it a second longer as I moved his hands off me and made my excuses "Apologies, I'm not feeling well".
I left him there on the dancefloor before it had ended and pushed my way through the remaining couples dancing. I ran out onto the terrace to get some air, the stars lighting up the night sky, giving me some kind of sense of ease as I looked at them sparkling as I wondered if I had gone mad back in the hall. I felt like I could feel Secundus over me still and wanted to jump into the fountain and wash the feel of him off me. Why had I been so stupid?
I heard Una behind me as she whispered, "What was that, Bella?"
I turned to her, tears filling my eyes like they so often seemed to be doing these days and I shook my head as I replied, "I'm such a fool".
Una then took me into her arms and gave me one of her reassuring embraces as I couldn't help but keep sobbing "I didn't know what else to do, I just wanted -"
"I know" she nodded and then placed a note in my hand as she warned "He isn't happy."
I looked down at the note that read "Meet in the Secret Garden".