Cassandra, though, could not help but be more forthcoming. "And your brothers are to have all the goods and chattels?" She could hear the sharpness in her own voice and was at once all regret: She was well aware of being too sharp for some tastes, and did try to blunt her own tongue. But really, this business was too vexing. The Fowles were like the Austens in so many ways: both large families, blessed with sons and daughters, and by a great good fortune that seemed only to run down the male line.

"My father did leave some novels to my sister Elizabeth." Isabella gestured at the bookcase which had one blank and dusty shelf. "Particular favorites, which they read together."

Excerpted from Miss Austen by Gill Hornby. Copyright © 2020 by Gill Hornby. Excerpted by permission of Flatiron Books. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.