Chapter Three

When Webster and Phoenix arrived at the Steel dining hall, they found Augusto and his son’s playing cards while their wives gossiped and talked around the fire drinking tea. When Augusto saw them walk in he greeted them with a smile. “Webster, Phoenix I’m glad you made it, I’ll have one of the girls show you to your rooms.”

Phoenix smiled “If you don’t mind I think I’d like to take a ride around and explore a bit before dinner.” Augusto smiled “Yes, of course, I suggest you head north it makes for a nice ride.”

Phoenix bobbed his head then turned to leave, once he had gone Augusto laughed. “Zeta’s cottage is north of here if we’re lucky they’ll run into each other.”

Phoenix returned to the stables to find the young boy Theo watering his horse. Phoenix smiled “Thank you, I’m sure Zeus is mighty thankful.” The boy smiled “I’m Theo you must be Mr. Prescott.”

Phoenix nodded “My father is Mr. Prescott, you can call me Phoenix, and it’s nice to meet you.”

Swinging up into his saddle Theo watched as Phoenix rode off North toward Zeta’s cottage. Phoenix had only been on the trail a few minutes before seeing a path leading off into the forest, curious he took it only to find it lead to a small glen and an even smaller creek surrounding a cottage. Hearing a seductive song, he quietly dismounted and hid in the safety of the trees, listening to the sultry melody that seemed to echo around the glen. About to retreat Phoenix was struck in awe at the sight of what looked like a woodland nymph.

Small in size she was wearing black sheer under garments that seemed to hug her every curve her long black hair seemed to glisten in the sunlight that seeped through the tree tops above her giving her a magical and enchanted feel. The sway of her hips as she walked was undeniably the most seductive thing he had ever seen. Phoenix found himself enamored by her just watching her as she washed out her paint brushes with her hair falling down around her face as she leaned over was more temptation than he could bare. After what felt like an eternity Phoenix returned to his horse wearing a smile wondering who she was. Could it be Zeta and if so what would he have to do to make her is own, just the thought of her took his breath away? Returning to the house Phoenix got settled in his room, the dark enchantress never leaving his mind as he dressed for dinner making sure to look his best before finding his father and headed down to dinner together.

When Webster and Phoenix got to the dining hall the entire Steel family minus Zeta had arrived and was seated while the servants were still running around ushering the children off to bed having feed them earlier in the evening. Augusto greeted them showing them to their seats, the table was full to bursting except for the empty seat next to Phoenix. Phoenix quietly listened as the Steel brothers talked about business and their new coffee house opening in London near the docks.

Devlin laughed “Christopher Naples is the architect designing the building?” Augusto sighed “I kept him on the account even after he and your sister had that little falling out.” Devlin chuckled “Hell pops he was spending her dowry before he had even met her the cocky bastard.”

Right after the food was served Zeta arrived guarded by two large black Irish wolf hounds one on each side. Shutting the door behind her she sent the dogs away with a motion of her hand then approached the table, the men stood waiting until she took her seat. Augusto smiled pleased she had worn one of her nice dresses and her hair was brushed.

“Zeta this is Webster and Phoenix Prescott they’ll be here for the next few days and for your birthday celebration tomorrow of course.” Zeta smiled “I’m sorry I’m late.”

Caleb’s wife Allison sneered at Zeta from across the table, “I think this is the first time we have been here in years that you haven’t shown up for dinner covered in paint and your hair uncombed.”

Phoenix frowned having never seen anything as beautiful as Zeta unsure how she could look bad if she tried. Zeta shook her head at Allison “You know Allison you sit on your ass so much it’s beginning to show. If you’re itching to get pregnant so much I’d concentrate more on having sex at least you’d be getting more exercise and I’m sure Caleb would be a lot happier.” Allison’s jaw dropped while everyone else at the table tried not to laugh. Augusto sighed “Can we please not do this tonight ladies.”

Zeta nodded then Brice changed the subject, mid-meal Allison turned to Phoenix. “I assume you’re here to meet Zeta?”

Phoenix looked at Zeta and winked “My father and I were invited to join in her birthday celebration and meeting her was definitely part of that why do you ask?” Allison shrugged “What was it that Augusto said that made you decide to come here, was it the insane amount of her dowry or Augusto’s boasts of her beauty?” Phoenix frowned “Neither Augie never mentioned her dowry or her appearance, only that like me she was different.”

Allison rolled her eyes “Different isn’t the half of it, why any man would want her I don’t know.” Caleb growled “Dammit woman.”

Phoenix frowned “But Allison the same can be said for you if I remember correctly your father had a hard time finding you a husband due to your unattractive personality I think that was how he put it.” Zeta laughed along with everyone else even Caleb “Hell honey you started it.” Allison looked disgusted “How dare you.”

Phoenix shrugged “I’m sorry I thought we were telling the truth.”

Allison frowned “Zeta’s has scared so many men away she could start her own army.” Phoenix laughed “Well at least I know I’m not the only one scaring people away.”

Webster and Augusto began talking amongst themselves while Zeta’s brothers went back to talking about work, their wives seemed happy to just sit back and listen. Although a somewhat quiet man Phoenix held a strong masculine presence his disinterest in their idle chatter about work was very attractive to Zeta, his worldly intelligence was very apparent in his manner of speech and choice of conversation. Zeta found herself attracted to him right away, yet she kept to herself and quietly watched as her brothers and their wives asked him one questioned after another. Her older brother Brice studied his appearance from across the table. “So Phoenix our father tells us you’re a cartographer just like your father.”

Phoenix gave a curt nod “Yes I too am a map maker, are you interested in the art or simply making polite conversation?”

Brice shrugged “The latter I’m afraid.”

Phoenix nodded “If I heard correctly you and your family live in Sheffield?” Brice nodded “Yes I practice law there and my brother Devlin takes care of the Steel coffee house we opened there a few years back.”

Gabriella gleamed with pride “Brice is a lawyer like his grandfather was he and I met when he was in law school, and my father was one of his professors.” Phoenix looked at Zeta and smiled then turned back to Gabriella “I’m sure you’re very proud that’s quite an accomplishment.”

Allison watched as Zeta and Phoenix shared glances. “Not to pry Mr. Prescott but I was rather curious as to what you’re looking for in a spouse, Augusto has said you’re here only for a visit and to attend Zeta’s birthday celebration but knowing him I rather doubt that, most eligible men who come through here are here for one reason and one reason only and that’s to meet Zeta.” Caleb elbowed his wife “That’s enough Allison.” Allison shrugged “I just want to know what he prefers in a wife.”

Phoenix didn’t look daunted at all, “For the life, I plan to lead I need an adventurer, someone creative, lively, open to new ideas, strong minded and independent.” Allison frowned “Don’t you plan to have a family?”

Phoenix laughed “What a woman like that can’t be a mother?”

Augusto laughed then Zeta stood up and whistled for her dogs. “Not all women are like you Allison, not all women sit on their ass all day sewing and praying to get pregnant. Some of us have more than just a pretty face going for us, hell if I was my brother I’d slit my throat every time you opened your mouth.”

Pushing out her chair Zeta walked to meet her dogs then walked out leaving Allison sitting with her mouth dropped open in shock. “Damn it, Caleb, you never defend me.” Caleb rolled his eyes “You always start it.”

Augusto groaned “Allison if you can’t control yourself then don’t bother showing up tomorrow I’m sick and tired of your trouble making and tomorrow is Zeta’s day so remember that because I won’t let you ruin it for her understood.”

Zeta headed to the stables having decided to take a ride, Theo greeted her with a smile “Leaving early are you?” Zeta laughed “Yeah well Allison is hell bent on pissing me off tonight.”

Looking over at Phoenix’s stallion she smiled “I’m curious I couldn’t quite hear before what has Phoenix named his horse?”

Theo chuckled “Zeus he must like Greek mythology like you.”

Zeta smiled as she swung up into Hermes saddle, “Night Theo I’ll probably just take Hermes back to my cottage tonight when I’m through.”

Phoenix cleared his throat as he stood to leave, “Thank you for dinner but I think I’ll call it a night myself, I’ll see you all tomorrow.”

As soon as Phoenix left the dining hall he headed toward the stables to find Theo getting ready for bed. “Sorry to bother you I just need some air I guess, don’t let me keep you from getting to bed.”

Theo shrugged “No problem Zeta was just here she went out for a ride as well.” Phoenix’s ears perked up as he swung up into Zeus’s saddle “Oh really?” Theo laughed “She and Hermes headed east if you’re interested.” Phoenix smiled “Thanks maybe I will see if I can catch up with her.”

Theo laughed “Just follow the barking, Apollo and Artemis can get pretty loud when running alongside Hermes.”

Phoenix spurred forward hoping to find her, within ten minutes he found her walking alongside the creek while Apollo and Artemis played in the water. Riding up both dogs guards went up and they stood between them until Zeta called them off then immediately they went back to playing in the water. “Hello, Zeta.”

Zeta smiled “Phoenix I see you didn’t stick around for dessert.” Phoenix shrugged “There was no need really the only person I was interested in talking too had already left.”

Zeta laughed “Oh really?” Phoenix chuckled “It’s obvious you and I have a lot more in common with each other than with any of the others.”

Zeta agreed but wanted to hear his reasoning “Such as?”

Phoenix laughed “Well for one, you and I think differently than they do, were creative and free thinking, our imagination’s sore to a whole other level than theirs, were more passionate.”

Zeta could feel her heart beat race “It sounds so much more desirable when you say it, like it’s something to treasure when usually I’m thought to be strange and undesirable.” Phoenix smiled “How you could be thought of as undesirable I can’t imagine.” Zeta laughed “Are you trying to flatter me?” Phoenix shrugged “No I just tend to say it like it is even when it can get me in trouble.”

As the night grew later the moon seemed to dim making it hard to see as the surrounding trees seemed to close in around them. Zeta looked around and smiled “I’m headed back to my cottage would you like to join me for some brandy?”

Phoenix smiled “Yes, I’d like that.”

As they made their way back to her cottage they talked about Greek mythology and discussed their favorite myths and Gods and Goddesses finding more and more things they had in common. When they reached her cottage Phoenix started a fire while Zeta poured them both some brandy. “So I hate to pry but what did your father mean when he said you and Christopher Naples had a falling out?”

Zeta shrugged as she handed him his glass and sat down. “He came here thinking that he and I were going to get married without even asking me what I thought about it. He thought he could change me into his ideal wife and planned to spend my dowry buying himself his own architectural firm. He thought my art was a joke, a stupid hobby that I’d gladly give up to bear him a bunch of brats. I informed him otherwise and sent him on his way.”

Phoenix nodded “So your brother was right he had already started to spend your dowry before even meeting you.” Zeta shrugged “He assumed I had no say in the matter, well he assumed wrong.” Phoenix watched her as she sipped at her brandy, “Are you looking forward to your birthday tomorrow?”

Zeta shrugged “In a way, yes, yet at the same time no because it seems like the older I get the more adamant my father gets that I get married and start a family. Like having five sons with wives and children isn’t enough.” Phoenix laughed “I know exactly how you feel, my father worries that if I don’t marry before I leave for the West Indies I never will or at least he won’t be there to see it.” Zeta stood up and looked out the window “The stars sure are bright tonight.”

Phoenix stood and walked to stand behind her close enough she could feel his warmth against her back. “I was hoping that maybe tomorrow you could show me some of your art work.” Turning she looked up into his eyes and smiled “I’ll be at the ruins tomorrow if you’d like to see my art, it’s not all there but it’s a start if you’re interested.”

Phoenix reached out and caressed her cheek as he stared down into her eyes. “It’s getting late love and your entirely too tempting for me to stay but I will see you tomorrow.”

Leaning down Phoenix softly pressed his lips to hers then smiled before turning and walking away leaving Zeta in a daze of desire eager for morning to come. Returning to his room Phoenix undressed and laid down unsure why but dreading having left Zeta the way he had. His need for her was greater than he had ever imagined it could be, when she spoke he was mesmerized with her every word. Every move she made seemed sensual and seductive and meant for only him. He had wanted to pick her up into his arms and carry her into her room as if the bed was calling out to them begging them to enter. Just the thought sent his loins a flame.

As sleep took him, her face was all he could see, her tantalizing scent still clung to him caressing his senses. Phoenix woke early the next morning eager to get to the ruins, more than ready to see Zeta and her art work. Stopping by the dining hall he found it full to bursting with the Steel family and their servants, his father was in high spirits. As he and Augusto talked, the children ran around in circles as they played and ate. Grabbing a biscuit and some coffee Phoenix was polite and cordial before heading to the stables to saddle up Zeus and heading to the ruins hoping Zeta was already there.