Cassandra Austen continues to read through her sister's letters in Miss Austen season 1, episode 2, but she also has another mission. She wants to secure a future for Isabella, which is more than what Mary is doing.
Caution: This post contains SPOILERS for Miss Austen season 1, episode 2.
After realizing that Mary had lied about the events of the past, Cassandra sees the woman for who she really is. However, there is something more concerning on her mind right now. Isabella needs to move out ASAP, and there are few people who will take her in. Remember that women of this time were just viewed as property, and by being unmarried and without some sort of income of her own, she runs the risk of being destitute.
It doesn't help that everything in the house is going to Isabella's brother. However, he doesn't seem all that interested in taking her in. So, Cassandra goes on a mission, that leads to her getting sick.
Cassandra turns to Isabella's sisters in Miss Austen season 1, episode 2
Since it doesn't sound like her brother is interested in helping, Cassandra turns to Isabella's sisters. However, one is living in solitude and is clearly not quite well mentally, and the other is working on helping the sick in the village with the school she teaches at being closed.
It's the latter that leads to an issue for Cassandra later on. The doctor, who clearly has his eyes set on Isabella and vice versa, shares that there is diphtheria in the village, and Cassandra needs to leave. Well, it looks like she comes down with it by the end of the episode.
Mary is no use in helping Isabella. She clearly has no interest in actually helping family, and is more focused on finding the letters that Cassandra has already found.
However, Mary Jane, the oddball sister, is more than happy for Isabella to come and live with her. This brings up some memories of the past of overbearing siblings, as it turns out taht Cassandra once went to live with her brother and sister-in-law (not Mary) and ended up becoming a nanny to the children. Jane wrote to Eliza to ask for Eliza to ask for Cassandra to come stay to ensure that Cassandra didn't become the spinster aunt.
A look back at a love that could have been in Miss Austen
During an evening when Cassandra reads a passage from Jane's book, Persuasion, to Isabella, Mary can't help but to bring up the past. It's clear that Mary doesn't rate Jane's work, despite Jane being the more accomplished and famous member of the Austen family. Mary brings up a man who apparently both Jane and Cassandra fell for, and that man was apparently meant for Jane until Cassandra got in the way.
Once again, Mary is lying. At least, that's not the way the story is playing out in the past. When Cassandra gets back to stay with Eliza, she ends up going on a beach day with Jane and their niece, Anna. It's clear that Mary doesn't like her stepdaughter — and I'd go as far as saying she's an evil stepmother with the way Anna cowers.
While shopping at the seaside, Anna wants Cassandra to ditch the black color that she has worn since the death of Tom. As she meets Mr. Hobday and gets to know him, she actually does ditch the color! Jane and Anna surprise her with a beautiful yellow dress, and she wears it to the beach, where Mr. Hobday is waiting. Jane set everything up for them both, making it clear that this is not a man she is interested in.
In one of Jane's letters to Eliza, she notes that Cassandra is in love. It's starting to become clear why Cassandra would want to burn the letters. She wants to protect her sister's most intimate thoughts and moments.
It does look like the letters may end up being found, though. As fever takes, Cassandra finds herself outside without knowing how she got there. She rushes to her room to stash the letters in a drawer, but she doesn't close it fully as she collapses on the floor. Will Mary find them, or will Dinah see what Cassandra has done but know that it's from a good place?
Miss Austen airs on Sundays at 9/8c on PBS.
Stay up to date with the latest historical fiction with Claire and Jamie.