Read Unobtainium 1: Kate on a Hot Tin Roof for Free Online Page B

retain information at a remarkable rate. Her vocabulary has increased quite markedly in the few days she has spent in the hospital. However, it is likely that she will require some assistance in dressing tomorrow morning.’
    They were taking the sleeper train to Edinburgh and then transferring to another service to continue on to Ullapool. When they would rise in the morning for breakfast before their arrival in Edinburgh the only person available to provide Kate with any assistance she might need would be Charles.
    ‘Your confidence in my abilities surely does not extend to ladies’ clothing, Mrs Wooster,’ Charles said. He was aware that he sounded a little whining and he knew he was blushing. David, standing nearby, was trying very hard not to appear too amused.
    Antonia rolled her eyes. ‘You have seen her in nothing but a shift, and in less when you discovered her. She can manage her own bloomers and bodice, but the corset is hard to manage alone. She knows not to make it too tight, but a helping hand would make this easier for her. Be a gentleman, Charles, or a detached scientist if that makes it easier.’
    ‘I’ll do my best. To be quite frank, that worries me less than our reception at Rhidorroch. Georgina is likely to be less than thrilled.’
    Antonia gave a less than ladylike grunt of disgust. ‘Just remember that your step-mother is in no position to cast even the smallest of pebbles, Charles. Besides, I am quite sure that Lilian will love Kate.’
    ‘Oh, I believe your assessment to be quite accurate. If only because it will annoy her daughter-in-law.’
    Great Northern Railway Line.
    There was some moon in the sky, but there were clouds and now that the sun had gone Charles had suggested closing the blinds, but Kate had requested that he leave them open. She sat at the window of Charles’s berth looking out into the near darkness while he read a book.
    ‘You can actually see something out there?’ Charles asked.
    ‘Yes. Not as good as day, but I see.’
    ‘Eyes of a cat,’ Charles mused.
    ‘I hear good too.’ She paused, frowning. ‘I have good hearing too,’ she amended.
    ‘And a good mind. Your English is improving in leaps and bounds.’
    She flashed him a fanged grin. ‘Don’t know leap or bound.’
    ‘Different words for jumping.’
    ‘I heard at the station too. Sharles not… hurt himself to help me dress.’
    ‘I will not, my dear. I will be a little embarrassed. Embarrassment will not hurt me, especially in this case. Mrs Wooster had the right of it. It is a gentleman’s duty to assist a lady in whatever manner she may require.’
    ‘I am not a lady. Not like Antonia.’
    ‘A lady, my dear Kate, is a woman who behaves like a lady, whether they come from the right family or not. It is also a woman who others treat as a lady, and I intend to do that very thing with you. I will assist you should you require it. Do not be afraid to ask, even though I blush like a schoolboy.’
    She giggled. ‘Who is Georgina?’
    Charles’s face straightened. ‘You and I have something in common. Neither of us ever knew our mothers. Mine, Elisabeth, died giving birth to me, as your mother died giving birth to you. Some years later my father remarried. Georgina is my step-mother. You will, of course, be calling her Lady Barstow-Hall. My father is Alexander, Sir Barstow-Hall. He accepted the knighthood my grandfather never would.’
    ‘I don’t understand.’
    ‘Ah, well, when I said a lady was a woman who acted like one, I neglected to mention that a Lady is also the husband of a knight. It is an honour bestowed on someone by the King. My father is, properly, Sir Barstow-Hall so my step-mother is, properly, Lady Barstow-Hall.’
    Kate peered at him, yellow eyes intent. ‘But she not act like a lady?’
    Charles peered back. ‘I believe, Kate, that you are a very perceptive young woman. I also believe that I should let you make your own mind up about Georgina.’
    Kate gave a nod. ‘I