A Ride in The Country Side (Open)

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Ansley headed out to the stables; it was a warm spring morning. A ride out in the country side would feel good. She donned on a simple a line dress for riding; at least for her it was simple. A light pale pink dress with a small flower pattern on the bodice. The bodice was laced up tight and had a square neckline that dropped a generous amount. The neckline was hemmed in white lace; as were the sleeves however the quarter length sleeves ended in a lace ruffle. Her skirt was the same pale pink with the light floral pattern; the front panel of the skirt was a lighter solid pink. If one couldn’t guess it, this was certainly her favorite color to wear. Her long dark brown hair was combed and braided up into a bun and tied by a white ribbon. Her bangs swept off to the side of her face. Around her neck she wore a white collar lace necklace with an rose ivory broach along with a set of pearls. This was the only jewelry she wore; usually she’d wear bracelets but today she had on a pair of white riding gloves. Ones that went wonderfully with her white riding boots.



She needed this ride more then she had originally thought; things had been so hectic lately. Not only had she been kidnapped just not even weeks before but she had noticed a few of her possessions had gone missing! Yes she had lots of nick nacks and shiny items, and just cause she had a good amount didn’t mean she didn’t notice when a couple went missing. Since there were no recent break ins; that she knew of; she suspected it was an inside job. She highly suspected one of her handmaidens had been swiping some of her belongings. Shame to; if this was the case she’d have to start looking for a new handmaiden. They were after all so very hard to come by.



When she got to the stable a servant had already gone ahead of her to ready the pretty dapple grey mare. This was one of her favorite palace horses; the servant helped her mount up into the side saddle. She adjusted her skirts and took the reins, and clicked her horse into motion. One of these days she would have to purchase a steed of her own. She did love riding; maybe she could convince her father to even breed a line. It seemed a couple of baronesses were taking an interest in business as of late; why couldn’t she?



She walked her horse through the first district, and then the second, She took one of the main gates out to avoid having to go through the slums; once out in the countryside she urged her horse into a trot; then a canter. A carefree smile breaking across her delicate features. Oh how she did enjoy riding; even if it was side saddle. She preferred normal saddles but during her education she was ‘broken’ from that habit. As it was entirely unladylike to have your legs straddled over a beast. She rode like this until her horse broke out in a sweat. After slowing her down to a walk. She kept to the dirt roads and enjoyed the views of the rolling fields and the quaint farm cottages. She would hate to live in such conditions but she did find them awfully cute to look at.

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    Theo had never been one for horse-back riding. Although it was a skill he had obtained at a young age, it was not something he felt entirely passionate about. However he did care for his horse with tenderness and compassion. Both him and his sister had duo of Clydesdale horses in an deep auburn colour. They were quite the pair to behold, very strong and powerful horses. Theo's younger sister Blanche had long waited to learn how to ride her horse. She had asked their mother for years to learn how, but she was not in the form to teach her. Theo felt that he had to step in as the big brother, and grant her her wish.

    Theo brought Blanche to the stables early that morning for her fifth lesson. She really seemed to have bonded with her horse, and was learning how to properly wield it with grace. Theo had two servants helped Blanche prepare her horse, Theo prepared his own.

    Once they had their horses set and ready to ride, they mounted them and off they went. They took their horses through the first district, into the second and followed out a set of main gates to avoid the third district, Theo didn't want to expose Blanche to the dangers of the third district. What soon followed were dirt pathways and meadows of green grass. Spring had really sprung, the weather was warm and the life was coming back to the meadows.

    Theo looked to his sister with a fierce look of friendly sibling competition, kicked his horse, and set out on a quick gallop. "Catch us if you can!" he yelled back to Blanche. But before he could get to far on the path, he noticed a gray mare and atop it was a woman in pink. Theo quickly slowed his horse to a stop and noticed a very familiar face. "Baroness Crawford, how lovely to see you this early morning." he said looking back to see his sister slowly approaching behind. "You could have warned me that you were... oh hello!" Blanche had a sudden burst of pink embarrassment appear on her very pale face. She suddenly hid behind her blonde fishtail braid, and straightened out her riding outfit, which consisted of a pair of light brown trousers, a white blouse with lace embellishment going up the neck, and a black cardigan over top with a pair of light brown leather gloves with her initials embedded into them (BMJB).

    Theo smiled at his shy sister, and went quickly to introductions. "This is my younger sister, Blanche Marie-Elizabeth Bankes." he gestured from his sister to Ansley "Blanche, I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine." he said extending a hand to Ansley.

    Theodore wore a riding suit of his own. His slacks were a grey-blue colour, with a white button-down collard shirt tucked into the pants, with a grey jacket over top and a pair of leather gloves matching thus of his sister's, with his initials embedded in his (TEB).

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The sound of thundering hooves made Ansley pull her mare to a stop; a flash of worry crossing into her emerald gaze. After the whole baths incident she was more than a little jumpy. The worried expression on her face quickly receded to that of relief as she recognized the features of the person approaching. It wasn’t a bandit, thief, or kidnapper of any kind but Duke Bankes. A more then welcomed alternative. As he approached she dipped her head low; the best curtsy she could accommodate on top of the large animals back. ”Good Morning Duke Banks”

Ansley was about to say it was a pleasure to run into him as well when another person joined them. A blonde girl who quickly once realizing Ansley’s presence went and hid behind the duke. The duke quickly made introductions causing Ansley to have a small kind smile towards the girl. Blushing when the duke called her a friend; which they were hardly such. She had become acquainted with him during the party over the winter. But the compliment was received none the less. ”I wasn’t aware you had a sister, how lovely. A pleasure to make your acquaintance Lady Bankes; my name is Baroness Ansley Crawford.” The duke while introducing his sister omitted introducing Ansley to her.

”It is a lovely morning for a ride is it not? Do you two ride often?” It would be a pleasure to find another riding partner. She was slightly jealous of the duke she always wanted a sibling; however her mother had passed before she had the chance to.

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    Theo laughed at his sister who hid behind him. "The pleasure's all mine Baroness..." his sister said coyly as she bowed her head to the woman. Theo knew that Blanche hadn't really been exposed to the circle of royals, so it was nothing short of out of character of her to shy away from a royal woman, even one with such a striking presence as Ms. Crawford. "Yes, I do. She doesn't often come to the castle, even when our father was around. However she really must visit more." he smiled, he really was close with his sister, even more so now that he is in the castle now. It really provides them the opportunity to catch up when he visited home when he could.

    Theo looked to see if Blanche would respond to Ansley on his behalf as he wasn't one to ride horses as much as she appeared to already be. Theo realized after a moment of silence that she was too shy to answer, so he stepped in. "That it is, a lovely morning indeed. Wouldn't you agree Blanche?" he asked nudging his sister. "Oh yes... very lovely morning, quiet warm... indeed." she was still star-struck. "We try to ride once a week. In fact, Blanche is learning how to ride her horse." he smiled while addressing Ansley. "I try to get home once a week, and that is when we will go out for a ride." he finishes. "And you, Baroness? Do you often ride?" he asked.

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Ansley was confused as to why the young noblewoman would continue to hide behind her brother like so. After all the young noblewoman was related to a duke; Ansley was just a baroness, low nobility and new blood at that. Her father had been made a Baron for his services to the crown. Only reason she had the Baroness title was due to the fact her mother had passed away when she was but a child. Ansley did have to admit Duke Bankes little sister was a pretty fair little thing. With the majesties new love interest having fair blonde features, young Lady Bankes would be very much the apple of the courts eye when she debuted out into proper society when she came of age. The young girl looked to be shy of sixteen by one or two years; she couldn’t be for certain which.

”Well Lady Bankes I do hope to see you around the castle more.” It would seem that the young Bankes was fairly shy. Her brother however did a good job speaking for her, or at least was trying. Ansley’s mare pawed the ground impatiently; Ansley reached down and pat the horses neck. Knowing the horse didn’t fancy standing still for a long period of time. Ansley’s face lit up when she heard the young Bankes was just learning how to ride. ”Do you like riding so far Lady Bankes?” It certainly was one of her favorite hobbies. Ansley looked back at Duke Bankes and nodded when he asked if she rode often. ”I do; it was something me and my mother use to do before she passed; I don’t do it as often as I use to but I still enjoy going out now and then.” She was slightly jealous young Bankes was allowed to ride astride, but she suppose when you were first learning that was the best way. She’d have to learn side saddle soon enough.

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    Theo smiled at the Baroness when she said that she enjoyed riding. He knew that it would be nice to Blanche to have someone to ride with other than himself. "Perhaps you two could ride together sometime?" he said smiling at his sister. Blanche blushed, and smiled looking at the Baroness for one of the first times. "I would very much enjoy that Baroness. If that interests you at all?" she asked letting her shyness slip away.

    Theo noticed the horses getting restless, and offered a suggestion. "Why don't we move onward?" he asked the women before him. "The horses seem to be restless, and it is a beautiful morning for a ride." he said with a compassionate smile. He looked to Blanche, who nodded in agreement, and then looked back to Ansley for her thoughts on the matter. Blanche nudged her horse, and moved forward, starting on the path. Theo waited for Ansley, with the hopes to make more friends within the royal circle.