A Royal Ryde

This Must Be My Day For Pranks

A/N Just wanted to take a brief moment and thank you for reading my story. So, thanks. :D  Let me know what you think of it. I'm pretty new to wattpad so any thoughts/comment/suggestions would be more then welcomed.

Last night I read a start of a story that I just LOVED so I wanted to dedicate this  chapter to that person and encourage all to read their newest story: FoxtrotSThatcher-  presenting (drum roll, please) The Blackmoores. It is pretty awesome, so check it out!! Keep smiling and remember to vote and comment! :D

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"Jo, did you take care of his house this morning like you were supposed to?"

"Of course, Shirly. I don't say I'll do something and then not do it like some people I won't mention."

Shirly rolled her eyes and opted to ignore Jo's fighting words.

Anabelle and Shirly sat in the back of the wagon holding Bliss upright so she wouldn't fall over and disturb her dress or hair. Belle sat with Jo on the wagonseat driving.  "Not too much further, girls." she called out in excitement. It had been a long while since the women of this town had done anything this crazy. It was long over-do.

Bliss had stopped strugging a half hour ago. Now, she sat meekly beween her aunt's friends and scanned the area. She was delighted and surprised to see that they had taken the way toward the mountain. She had actually stopped struggling for her freedom when she saw they were going over a small bridge the was over the river she had waded into the other night. What could be out this far away from town? The ladies kept mentioning a 'he', so it was obviously a man she was being taken - A MAN! She couldn't be seen by a man dressed like this! She would die of mortification! She would! No man had ever looked on her body while it was so...so... so underdressed (for lack of a better word). She couldn't survive this! What were these crazy women thinking? Were they thinking at all? Any sensible woman should know that you don't take a parically undressed woman to a 'he'. That was asking for trouble. Or worse. Beautiful mountains or not, Bliss bowed her head as shamed spread over her cheeks. A tear slipped down her cheek as she thought about what waited in somewhere in this wild territory. 

Eventually, Bliss drifted into a troubled sleep. Her misery was better handled that way. The women, completely unaware of their charge's distress, pressed onward refusing to be slowed in anyway. They had to be at his house before he arrived home from wherever he spent his days.

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Jude scrubbed his hand over his face irritbly as he left the barn and headed for the house. Today had not been a good day. Not only did his wagon get stolen by a couple of pranking boys but they managed to get both the wagon and themselves stuck in mud that rose well over the ankles. Trust boys to find mud like that. It had taken three men and four horses to pull the wagon out of the mire. The boys were a bit easier, although they were going to have a time of it with their fathers when they arrived home. Smart man that he was, Jude had fetched each of their fathers asking for help in dislodging his wagon from the mud. The men got to see for themselves the trouble their boys had caused. Now, Jude's back hurt, he was starving, dead tired, and his wagon was completly filthy. This day just couldn't get much better. It's not even eight o'clock yet, he thought as he climbed the porch steps. He left his boots as the door and walked into the kitchen. He had nothing left over and he was not in the mood to try and cook something eatible. "Guess I'm going to bed hungry." He growled. His good humor was completley spent. 

"Mmmmm-mmmmm." 

Jude paused in the kitchen, a frown etched in his forehead. He scanned the kitchen, this time looking for anything out of order. "Mmmmmm--hmmm." Turning, Jude followed the noise. Just as he was approaching the parlor, he heard a  thud as something hit the floor. Hurrying into the parlor, Jude's mouth dropped as he saw the sight in his parlor. Amanda Bliss Starrlet was dressed in a scandouls-if not dated- dance hall costume. She was gagged and tied to a chair, althought the chair had been tipped over so now the girl lay on the floor with a chair tied to her. "What in thunderation?" Jude growled as he walked toward the girl. He lifted the chair off the ground and righted it. "What's the meaning of this?" He grumbled as his long fingers fumbled with the cloth that was gagging her. He tossed the gag to the ground as he began working on the knots that held her to his chair. Extending a hand, he helped her stand. Silently, he watched as she first rubbed at her arms before wetting her lips and looking up at him. "I'm sorry, sir. It was only a prank." she whispered, her voice was so light Jude almost missed her words.

"A prank?" Jude stared at Bliss like she had grown another head. "A prank." He shook his head, his arm raised as he roughly squeezed the back of his neck. "This must be my day for pranks." He mumbled. He glanced back up at Bliss. "How'd you get here?"

"You won't believe me." Bliss stared at the ground, afraid to look this man in the eye. He was an intimidating height, his curling brown hair held no order as it curled around his ears and collar. His intense eyes were so light they almost appeared white. His gaze  seemed unwavering as he obviously had the talent to stare a person down until they felt that every thought, every desire, and  every emotion were available for him to see. 

His black pupils and dark tan caused his white eye color to especially stand out. Though at first glance Bliss found the man and his eyes completely captivating, he also made her feel weak and on display, therefore she avoided looking at him. 

The man sighed deeply and tried again. "I'm not going to judge you, I won't even accuse you of tying yourslef to my chair. I just want to know how you got here." He paused as his eyes scanned her body. "Dressed like that."

Bliss blushed scarlett as he recalled to her exactly what she was wearing. "Some...some ladies got together with my aunt. They were trying on old costumes when I came home to start dinner. The next think I knew, they were attacking me with lace and bows. Then they tied me up and brought me here."

Jude frowned. This didn't make any sense. Who in their right mind would leave a half-undressed woman tied up in a bachlor's home? This was completely ridicoulous. "Did they leave a note? Say why they did it? Anything?" 

Bliss shook her head. "They only said that I was to be a surprise for you and that neither of us were going anywhere until they said so."

Jude starred at Bliss. He couldn't stop staring at the girl. She was so beautiful, even with the face powder on.  Her auburn hair was curled and softly brushing her shoulders. Though her brown eyes were filled with tears, Jude could see the beauty in them. Her eyes were a dark brown. They looked rich and sweet. The light freckles across her cheeks and nose gave her an innocent pixie look. Jude was sure that she had nothing to do with this. She looked too upset to have helped the crazy women. Jude once again allowed his eyes to wander her body. The fancy dress fit her perfectly, it beautifully emphasized her tiny waist and petite curves. The girl couldn't have stood much over five foot. She was so tiny, so dainty and beautiful- Jude immediantly shut his thoughts down there. The last thing he needed was trouble, and this girl was capable of bringing trouble. Forcing his mind back to the conversation, he suddenly remembered something she had said. "What do you mean, we aren't leaving until they say so?"

Bliss slowly looked up until her dark brown eyes met his white ones. "They nailed every window shut." She said softly. "They said they would take care of the door after you came inside."

Jude stood absolutlely still, his gaze lost in hers as she finally met him eye for eye. He couldn't be locked in this house with her. He couldn't. Turning quickly from her mesmerizing gaze, he strod to the front door and tried to open it. The handle turned, but the door didn't budge. "No." He groaned. This was not good. Not good at all. 

Maybe he could break down the door. Jude studied the door in thought.

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