Beauty and the Billionaire (BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB NOVEL) Read Online Free PDF Page B

demeanor, Gretchen was delighted at the sight. A large canopied bed that looked like something straight out of the Tudor dynasty jutted out from the far wall, and the vaulting ceiling was painted with dancing cherubs and glittered with more chandeliers.
    She stepped over the threshold, a bit surprised at the opulence of the room. She’d been expecting something a bit more like a hotel room, with a simple bed, dresser, and table. She would have been glad for that. This . . . was incredible.
    “I trust that this suits your needs?” the butler asked dryly.
    Gretchen forced herself to close her mouth and gave him an equally grave look. “It’s a little small,” she lied, “but it’ll suit.”
    “I’ll give you a few hours to get settled. Dinner is in two hours and will be brought to your room.”
    Audrey stopped staring at the gorgeous room and looked over at the butler. “Do we get a tour of the place?”
    “And the letters,” Gretchen said. “When do I get to look at those?”
    “The letters are in the south wing, and the south wing is off limits today.” He moved toward the door, readying to leave. “If you need anything else, ring the bell pull. My name is Mr. Eldon. You can ask for me.”
    “Why is the south wing off limits?” Gretchen asked as he began to shut the door.
    “Because today is Friday,” he said as the door closed with a click.
    Gretchen stared at Audrey, a bit surprised by what had just happened.
    “Well. The rich do surround themselves with eccentrics,” Audrey said. “Maybe he’s very good at being a butler. Or something.”
    “I’m hoping it’s more along the lines of ‘old family friend’,” Gretchen said wryly. “Because that’ll excuse his behavior a little more. Do you think the owner doesn’t want me here to do this project?”
    “I don’t know,” Audrey said, moving to the bed and touching one of the thick, luxurious tassels hanging from the bed draperies. “They invited you here, didn’t they? So the Buchanan family must be aware that you’re here to work.”
    “Huh.” Gretchen wasn’t so sure. The butler was kind of a jerk. Still, she could put up with a jerk for a nice fat paycheck and the opportunity to live in an American-style castle for an entire month. It wasn’t as if Mr. Eldon was going to be hovering over her shoulder for the entire time.
    An angry meow came from Gretchen’s bag, and she set it down on the edge of the bed, unzipping. Igor bounded out a moment later, and then hissed at her to let Gretchen know his displeasure.
    That was par for the course today, really. It seemed like everyone was in a pissy mood.
    ***
    Eldon entered Hunter’s office after a quick knock. “She is here, and she is settled, sir.”
    Hunter bolted to his feet behind his desk, then forced himself to remain put. Calm. Relaxed. At ease. “Did she seem pleased?”
    The butler’s mouth turned down in a sour frown. “Pleased? I suppose. She asked to see the letters and I told her the wing was off limits.”
    “You can show her tomorrow.”
    “Shall I leave the honor to you?”
    “I . . . no. Not yet.” The surroundings would be strange to Gretchen. Best not to unsettle her more than she was already. Perhaps she was nervous and seeing a man with scars lurking in the shadows would only increase the nervousness. “I shall introduce myself in time.”
    “Very well, sir.” Eldon said nothing else, but didn’t leave the room, either.
    “What is it?”
    “She has brought her sister with her.”
    “I have no objections.”
    “Yes.” Again, a long pause, and then Eldon’s face seemed disapproving once more. “And a cat.”
    Hunter felt his mouth stretch tight against his scars, smiling. “A cat is permissible. I did not state in the contract if she had to leave any pets behind.”
    “I see.”
    “And have you set up the letters for Ms. Petty’s project?”
    Eldon gave a sharp nod. “They have been placed in an authentic Buchanan trunk dating from the