Beautiful Beast (Enchanted Fairytales) Read Online Free Page A

last night. Of course, it was only the five of them since none of them could afford to throw a real party, nor had houses big enough to accommodate more than a few people. They’d made her a cake that slightly resembled Sully from Monsters, Inc . The handwritten card had a grotesque monster drawn on the front, compliments of Eli’s rather unique talent. The inside said: “Don’t get eaten by the monster. But if you do, we’ll cut him open and rescue you!”
    She wasn’t allowed to tell anyone the details of her deal with Mr. Stratford. Her father knew why she was going, that the banker agreed to pay the doctor’s bill, and of course he knew of the maid, but he didn’t know the rest. Her friends had been told she was being assigned community service at the Monster House for trespassing. None of them had volunteered to admit their part as accomplices and take part of the burden.
    She reached up and rubbed her fingers across the scar beneath her hair. The stitches had come out a few days ago, and honestly, already the scar was so thin she could barely see it.
    A honk alerted her to the arrival of her ride. She tucked the paper deep inside the bag and walked through the small living area to the front door. Her father was at work. He couldn’t afford to miss any more days than the two he’d stayed home to nurse her.
    A long black limousine awaited her. She quickly glanced up and down the street to see who might be watching. Most everyone was at work, and she didn’t see anyone who cared to discover who was honking. She dashed out and slid in, slamming the door behind her before the driver could do so. She watched through the window as he tipped his hat with an amused grin and walked around to the driver’s side.
    Calli slid low in the seat, though she doubted anyone could see her through the dark windows. They drove down the rutted streets and up the long hill toward the house she’d both envied and feared for so long.
    The driver pulled through the wrought iron gates and around the circular drive, stopping in front. Calli stared gloomily at the house. It was much taller than it appeared from below, and even from where they’d hidden out back behind the hedges.
    She jumped as the driver opened her door and wondered if she could just hide in the car for the six months. Terror gripped her at the thought of steeping through the doors into the house.
    She was sure the stories of the monster were exaggerated, sure he was human. Okay, maybe not sure . But she thought he probably was. Maybe. She hoped.
    As she climbed out, another man came down the steps, dressed formally. He was tall and thin, balding with sparse gray hair on the sides of his head. His eyes, though, were bright and friendly.
    “Ms. Clayson,” he said, bowing. It seemed a ridiculous gesture, and yet somehow it seemed right coming from this very proper man. “My name is Hartland. Welcome to Stratford Place.” Calli only nodded as he took her bag from the driver. “Thank you, Westley.”
    Hartland walked up the steps toward the house, and Calli assumed she was to follow. She gave a little wave at the driver and followed the old man into the house.
    The entry soared high above her head. The floor was dark, polished wood that gleamed richly. The walls were textured and painted with varying shades of beige and gold. Tapestry’s hung high on the walls. A wood stairway curved along the wall to an upper floor. Dark wooden doors on both sides of the entry and at the back opposite the entry hid other rooms. Calli felt a little like she’d stepped back in time.
    Hartland walked over to one of the side doors and waved her forward. “Mr. Stratford wishes to speak to you before I show you to your room.”
    This startled her. “Mr. Stratford is home?”
    “Yes, miss.”
    Calli’s nerves were as taut as they’d been when she’d approached him at the bank. She took a breath and strode forward, stepping in as Hartland swung the door open. He closed it softly