“I’ve never heard that word before … ‘gloaming,’” Blackie murmured, gazing at her, his affection reflected in his black eyes.

“I think it might be Scottish,” Laura replied. “Anyway, whatever it’s called, I like this hour.” She cleared her throat, and changing the subject, she said, “You’ve worked so hard on your drawings of the rooms today, have you nearly finished?”

“I am finished!” Blackie exclaimed, a wide smile settling on his face. “When I put me pencil down half an hour ago, they were done. Thanks for letting me work on yer table, love, it really helped, ’cos I could spread out the papers, sure and I could. Faith and I’m grateful ter ye, lass.”

“It’s my pleasure, Blackie. So will you be going to Harrogate next week?” she then asked, filled with curiosity about his plans.

“I aim ter go and see Lord Lassiter, ter show him these interiors, but I’d be going anyhow, ter see how Uncle Pat’s been faring with me builders. The structure was up, I told ye that, and when I saw it, I knew I’d picked the right spot for the guesthouse. I think I told ye I’d decided to move the guesthouse in front of that there copse of trees, and I was right. They make a nice backdrop, and they’ll add shelter in the bad weather, shade in the summer.”

Always impressed by Blackie, admiring his ideas and his understanding of architecture, Laura said, “You’re so clever the way you do things, and how you taught yourself to build houses I’ll never know. And this is truly such a wonderful opportunity for you.”

“Well, I did go ter night school, ye knows that, but I think I just knows how ter design buildings, sort of naturally, I suppose.”

“You were born with a gift,” Laura said with her quiet authority. “Of that I’m certain.”

“Perhaps yer right. And I’d say ye have a gift for sewing. That was a lovely piece ye were putting lace on. What is it yer making, love?”

“A nightgown. I was given the lace, so I’m making something special with it.…” She paused, smiled shyly at him and added, “Perhaps it’ll be for my Bottom Drawer.”

Blackie stared at her, a puzzled expression on his face. “What do ye mean when ye say ‘Bottom Drawer,’ as if it’s summat special?”

“Well, it is. Every young woman who is getting married starts a Bottom Drawer, to put things in for her wedding, like nightgowns, petticoats, tablecloths, that sort of thing. Items women make to take with them into a marriage. I suppose it’s a tradition, a custom. Anyway, this lace is too pretty for everyday, so perhaps I’ll make a start, if it’s not tempting fate.”