“Yes. Her father was fond of them.” Worthington glided his hand over Zeus’s head. “They very much want to be around the family. I had them growing up as well.”

Posy leaned against John, obviously settling in. His mother would probably throw a fit, but she would no longer be the mistress. “I would like to have a puppy, if they are not all spoken for.”

Worthington eyed John with a steady gaze. “I think that can be arranged.”

“Thorton just told me your curricle is here.” Eleanor sailed into the room. “Shall we go?”

“Yes.” John stepped around the dog and looked down at his trousers and attempted to brush them off.

“It was bound to happen. But there is no need to worry. We have a brush in the hall.”

When he glanced at her again she was smiling. “I suppose it is all part of living with animals.”

“It is.” She took his arm and led him into the hall, where a footman was ready with a brush.

A few seconds later they were strolling to the carriage. “I asked Worthington if I could have a puppy.”

“Did you?” The smile she gave him was so blinding, he had to blink.

John waved the footman off, placed his hands on her waist and lifted her into the curricle. Eleanor sucked in a breath, and he had to fight off the urge to slide his thumbs over the undersides of her breasts. Ever since he’d first touched her, he’d wanted her. Eleanor was nothing like what he had thought he wanted in a wife, but he’d been wrong. The more he was with her, the more he knew he needed her in his life. The only thing he didn’t know was if he was falling in love with her. Obviously, he had loved people and animals. He loved his sister even when she drove him mad. He loved his mother, but at more of a distance. He’d really loved his first pony. But he’d never been in love with a woman. How would he know?

While Eleanor settled her skirts, he climbed into the other side of the carriage. “Let them go.” The groom stood aside, and John started the horses. “Thank you for assisting me. It would have taken so much longer to settle the problem without you.”

“I enjoy helping others. Fortunately, Matt and Grace encouraged me.” She glanced at him from beneath her golden-brown lashes. “I liked helping you.”

It might have been John’s imagination, but he could have sworn she had put an emphasis on “you.” On its own, his chest puffed out. It was time to start claiming her. “Will you dance the opening dance of your come out ball with me, and the supper dance as well?”

She tilted her head as she gazed at him. After a long moment she nodded. “I will.”