It had been her mother’s before she had grown out of her own.
Even so, while it fitted her slim figure, it was worn at the seams and looked faded in some places.
Because it was early in the morning and they never saw anybody except the Marquis, neither Nolita nor Bettine wore a hat.
Nolita had the idea that, as the child was still learning to ride a spirited horse, it would be a mistake to have anything that might distract her attention from what she was doing. She knew of old that a hat that fell off when one was galloping could be a dangerous distraction.
“I wonder if Papa will join us this morning,” Bettine asked, as they moved under the branches of the trees.
“He may do,” Nolita replied, hoping that he would.
“Papa likes – ” Bettine began and then she looked ahead of her in aston
