After succumbing to illness at the climax of the previous episode, Cassandra (portrayed by Keeley Hawes) now finds herself tenderly cared for by her friend Isabella (Rose Leslie) and Isabella's maid, Dinah (Mirren Mack). However, Cassandra's mind wanders in delirium, and she persists in mentioning Jane's letters, which she has been meticulously guarding from the rest of the household. Isabella, attempting to soothe her, assures her that no such letters exist, yet Cassandra remains steadfast in her conviction to conceal them, unaware that her sister-in-law Mary (Jessica Hynes), eager to lay her hands on them, eavesdrops from the hallway.
In a series of poignant flashbacks, a youthful Cassy (Synnøve Karlsen) strolls along the shores of Sidmouth with her potential beau, Henry Hobday (Max Irons). As they muse over themes of loss, Henry opens up about his mother's struggle to remain in their family home following his father's demise, yet they harbor hopes of soon returning to their estate in Derbyshire. Shifting back to the Austen residence, Jane (Patsy Ferran) and her seafaring brother Frank (Jake Kenny-Byrne) playfully tease Cassy about her new suitor, leaving their meddlesome mother (Phyllis Logan) on edge with anticipation. Cassy, embarrassed and exasperated, reacts angrily to their jests.
Later, Jane imparts some heartfelt advice to Cassy, urging her to embrace Henry's affections, as she deserves a fate far better than the bleak prospects awaiting both her and Jane. As spinsters, Jane explains, they are destined to live in poverty and become objects of either pity or ridicule. Though she accepts this as her lot, she harbors a deep desire to spare Cassy such a destiny. Hence, if Cassy receives any offer that could serve as an escape, she should seize it without hesitation.
Returning to the present year of 1830, the elderly Cassandra remains ailing and continues her rambling about the letters. When the local physician, Mr. Lidderdale (Alfred Enoch), arrives at the door, inquiring if he can be of assistance, Isabella dismissively denies Cassandra's illness. Furthermore, she subtly conveys her awareness of her sister Beth's (Clare Foster) collaboration with him in addressing the village's health crisis. However, once she sees him off, Isabella experiences a moment of intense, private anguish. What untold story lies between these two individuals?In the poignant flashbacks, Henry taps gently yet eagerly at the Austen residence's door, his heart pounding as he awaits Cassy's response. With bated breath, Jane and Mrs. Austen peer through the window curtains, their anticipation palpable. At the shore, Henry grapples with finding the right words, yet his sentiments pour out uncontainably. He confesses to Cassy that, despite knowing her for but a fleeting time, her character has left an indelible mark on his soul. From the very instant their fingers brushed in the shop, his heart has been hers. He adores her for her beauty, her intellect, and her indomitable spirit, and he proposes marriage with eyes brimming with sincerity. "Say yes, Cassy," he urges, his gaze filled with promise and potential. "He truly seems like one worth keeping!"
However, the narrative shifts to an even earlier flashback, transporting us to the serene yet solemn confines of Kintbury Church. Here, Cassy's late fiancé, Tom (portrayed by Calam Lynch), with a heart heavy with foreboding, pleads with her not to let a sense of obligation bind her should he pass. Cassy, her voice steady with resolve, vows never to wed another, her heart forever his.
Flash forward to 1830, where Cassandra, having risen from the confines of her illness-ridden bed, finds herself once more in that hallowed church, tears streaming down her cheeks. The tapestry of memories weaves on, revealing Cassy in a state of anguished tears as she confides in Jane her refusal of Henry's hand in marriage. Jane's disbelief is palpable, yet Cassy unveils the solemn vow she made to Tom, a pledge she cannot, in good conscience, break.In 1830, within the hallowed confines of the church, Isabella and Dinah discovered Cassandra, her visage glowing with improved health. With gratitude brimming in her eyes, Cassandra attributed her very life to Isabella, who confessed that though she once harbored dreams of healing the ailing, those aspirations had since faded into the past.
Returning to the confines of their abode, Mary once more inquired about the letters, to which Cassandra steadfastly maintained her innocence, denying any knowledge of their existence. However, Mary recounted how, amidst Cassandra's delirium, she had inadvertently revealed possession of them. Yet, Cassandra persisted in her denials.
Flashbacks painted a picture of Jane's despair, penning her frustrations to Eliza about Cassandra's refusal of Henry. A union that promised comfort, wealth, stability, and love was being spurned in favor of uncertainty, and Cassandra was willfully denying herself these blessings. As the matured Cassandra perused Jane's letter, her heart was wrenched by Jane's lack of understanding; Cassandra had rejected Henry partly for Jane's sake too.
With young Mary's visit impending, Jane insisted on a hasty departure with Cassandra, seeking refuge with their friends Catherine and Alethea Bigg-Wither, who resided in the affluent Hampshire countryside. The Austen sisters marveled at the grandeur of the Bigg-Wither estate and later shared a meal with the girls, their father, and their reticent brother Harris, the heir apparent.
Harris, clearly smitten by Jane's sharp wit, soon afterward proposed marriage, to which she readily agreed. Cassandra was appalled, knowing full well that Jane's affections for Harris were nonexistent. Jane rationalized that love could blossom with time, albeit acknowledging its improbability, and cited her decision as a means to liberate Cassandra to wed Henry. Cassandra, however, rejected this notion, asserting that her chapter with Henry was closed. She further elaborated that as Harris's wife, she would bear the responsibility of estate management and the upbringing of numerous children. Jane, clearly unprepared for such realities, found herself desolate at the prospect of her writing life being sidelined. And so, the very next morning, she ended their engagement.
At Steventon, the Austen family home, Mary and her husband, James (portrayed by Patrick Knowles), along with Cassy—Jane's brother—have arrived, their conversation with Jane and Cassandra's parents inadvertently overheard by Cassy. James, long anticipated to succeed Mr. Austen (Kevin McNally) as the local rector, reveals to his parents, seemingly at Mary's urging, their desire to take over the Austen residence, accommodating their children. Consequently, Mr. and Mrs. Austen, along with their daughters, are compelled to seek smaller quarters, a development that provokes tears, especially for Jane, who finds it deeply distressing.
In the year 1830, Mary arrives accompanied by her stepdaughter Anna (played by Carys Bowkett), who is eagerly excited to reconnect with her aunt Cassandra. As the family pitches in to assist Isabella with the final touches of clearing out the house, Mary slips away in a desperate, albeit vain, attempt to locate a cache of letters. Later, when the women convene, they reminisce about Jane's poignant departure from Steventon.
Flashbacks transport us to the Austens' arrival in Bath, where they are confined to cramped lodging rooms. Jane retreats to her bed, her spirits dampened, but Cassy implores her to make the best of their circumstances. A glimmer of hope shines through when Jane learns that her first novel, titled 'Susan,' is set for publication. However, this joy is short-lived as Mr. Austen falls gravely ill, his condition deteriorating to the brink of death.
Returning to the present day of 1830, Cassandra remains steadfast in her mission to secure Isabella's future, now that she must leave her home. She visits Beth at her school, where she teaches, and earnestly pleads with her to aid Isabella, fulfilling a promise she made to their late father to ensure Isabella's well-being with one of her sisters. Cassandra harbors hope that if Beth marries Mr. Lidderdale, they would welcome Isabella into their home. Beth finds this proposition amusing, realizing that Cassandra has mistakenly approached the 'wrong sister'...
