No, it was Philip Marshall's fault, for he had got a note from him that morning saying he looked forward to seeing him in London soon, and to look after Arabella.
Was it he who had attacked her? It just didn't make sense.
His musing left Blake distracted, so much so that when the skies darkened with storm clouds he should have insisted they go back.
"I'll race you to the end of the lane," Arabella said with a laugh. Before he could stop her she was galloping off full tilt.
A hare springing out of the hedgerows which edged each side of the lane startled her horse. Before she could even cling to his mane, the gelding had thrown her onto the leaf-strewn ground.
"Arabella! Oh, God, Arabella!" Blake shouted. He flung himself out of the saddle and knelt beside her. "Speak to me."
She pulled his head down and kissed him resoundingly on the lips.
"Oh, Lord, you scared the wits out of me. Don't ever, ever do that again."
He cradled her in his arms for a moment, before examining her all over and helping her get to her feet.
"It's all right," she said, smiling at him until she saw his white face, saw his hands shaking. "It's all right. I'm fine." She took his hands to steady them in her own.
"I'm sorry. It's that note of Philip's. It has me all on edge. Is it a threat, or a sign he's trying to help?"
"He wouldn't ask to see us in London if he were trying to threaten us. I know I don't remember everything, but I know he never tried to hurt or take advantage of me. You mention his name and I have only warm feelings towards him."
He scowled as he thought of the kisses that she had shared with him. Warm indeed. But she was his now, now and forever. "Come on, love, let's get you back home and into a hot bath."
He cupped his hands and swung her back up into the saddle, and took hold of her bridle. "We need to go quickly, but sedately. That storm is about to hit. The last thing we need is for our mounts to be spooked."
They got back to the Manor just as the storm began to pelt the slate roof unmercifully.
"Are Ellen and Georgina back safely?" Blake asked, suddenly feeling a shudder of unease as he heard the crinkle of Philip's note in his pocket.
"Yes, sir," the butler replied.
"My wife fell from her horse. Tell them to prepare a tray for her in her room, if you please, and make our apologies for dinner to the others."
"Yes, sir."
He lifted Arabella despite her protests. Once they were upstairs in their chamber he stripped her off to check for bruises while the tub filled. He shook his head at the marks on her back.
"All I can say is it's a dashed good thing you married a doctor. You've saved yourself a small fortune not having to pay for my services."
Her eyes sparkled wickedly. "I can think of a few ways of repaying you."
He ignored her sultry look and placed her in the steaming water to soak while he got out clean clothes for her.
But the last thing she wanted was to be dressed and put to bed like a sick patient. As soon as she got out of the tub, she began to strip off his cravat and waistcoat, planting kisses all over the flesh she gradually bared.
"But darling, we can't. Your fall. You might be injured."
"Only if you reject me, Blake. I have an entirely different kind of riding and tumbling in mind."
"You're a bad girl."
"I know, but you love me anyway, don't you?" she said with a grin.
His eye bored into her, his expression so intense it almost frightened her. "I love you all ways. And always, forever. I don't know what would ever do without the joy you bring me. I've come so close to losing you…"
"No, darling, this is forever. I don't care if I never remember everything. The past doesn't matter, only our bright and happy future."
He held her tightly. Soon her soothing fingers became red hot pokers prodding on his desires to a fever pitch. He could barely get on a protector, his hands shook so badly with suppressed desire.
As Blake entered Arabella's lush welcoming body with a hoarse cry of need and longing, he thought he could never get enough of her. That even as he made love with her there was still so much more deep within for them to share, for him to know.
Then she moved her hips against him. "It's all here, love, all of me. Nothing hidden. Can't you see my love for you?"
At last he could see it. As he climaxed again and again inside of her, caught in a storm of passion over which he had no control, he realised he didn't wish to have control any longer.
He simply had to love Arabella heart and soul, and trust to his fate. For surely to try harness and curb their love as he had done was to deny himself, and to attempt to rein in the wind or the tides.