SOLVED. Regency h's cousin 'loves the H, so the h backs off. I think there was a scene were they going to church and the h had done her hair and worn a nice dress, dressing up for the H. [s]

[Alicia]

So I have another one! It's about a 'spinster' who lives with her aunt and her cousin. The aunt and cousins' distant cousin comes to visit, he's in London to search for a wife (I believe he was married once already but she died or committed suicide, I can't remember), and he doesn't want a wife that was like his last one, she lost interest in him I believe. The h's cousin 'loves the H, so the h backs off. I think there was a scene were they going to church and the h had done her hair and worn a nice dress, dressing up for the H. I believe the h spilt hot cocoa on her dress and had to change. The h's aunt and cousin went ahead of the h/H to church. The cousin was a real B about things, jealous because she couldn't stay with them and be with H. I remember at the end the h's cousin makes a big scene at a dance/ball. the cousin turned a jealous guy the h had turned down numerous times. I think he basically called her cold, that she didn't like men, and that she was a bluestocking, all because she danced with H.

I hope this isn't too jumbled! I couldn't go to sleep before at least posting this on here! It's on the tip of my brain what this book is and I would appreciate any help!!

Thanks,
Alicia

[Jeremy]

That almost sounds like "The Ladies of Missalonghi" that I read a few years back. A quick Googling tells me that it was written by Colleen McCullough. Could that be it?

[Andria]

Here's a link: The Ladies of Missalonghi

[Andria]

Did the spinster and the love interest have a secret "night of passion" before he showed up to court her cousin? Because if so it kind of sounds like Slightly Wicked by Mary Balogh.

[Alicia]

It's neither of those but thank you for taking the time to post them!

[Alicia]

So I figured it out. It just came to me! It's in the anthology Talk of the Ton and it's Miss Jenny Alt's First Kiss. Thank you again to you both for trying to help!

[Jeremy]

No problem, glad you figured it out!