Being Mrs Darcy Deleted Scene

Hello everyone,

Back in March, the monthly theme here at Austen Variations was comeuppance. I had a perfect scene from Being Mrs Darcy in mind for it, but at the time I was sharing news about The Recovery of Fitzwilliam Darcy and never got around to posting it. I thought that I would now.

This is a deleted scene; it was in the version of BMD that I posted online many years ago, but it did not make it into the published version. It takes place late in the story. Elizabeth and Darcy are reunited, but neither one has yet confessed their love to the other. The scene involves Caroline Bingley and a neighbour of the Darcys in Derbyshire, Miss Martha Simms. From the first time they met, Miss Simms has been rude to Elizabeth. Like Miss Bingley, she feels that she would have been a more appropriate wife for Darcy; she and her mother feel they have a greater claim to him, since their family has been neighbours to the Darcy’s for a very long time. If you have read BMD, you may remember Miss Simms making some not so veiled insults to Elizabeth at a dinner party, for one example. In the unpublished version of BMD, the Simmses have another daughter, Jane, who is much nicer than her older sister. She is referenced at the end of this excerpt.

Caroline Bingley has also been insulting to Elizabeth. She has offered Elizabeth false friendship—knowing it would reflect well on her to be on intimate terms with Mrs Darcy—but Elizabeth has been wise enough to see through her.

In this scene, the Darcys attend a ball in town. The Simmses are there, as are the Bingleys and Hursts. I have only minimally edited it, and it involves some ‘head hopping’, i.e., changing points of view, but I wanted to preserve Caroline Bingley in all her glory.

“Oh, Mrs Darcy, how good it is to see you again,” Caroline Bingley cried. She looked over her shoulder wanting to see who had witnessed her warm greeting to Mrs Darcy.

“Miss Bingley.” Elizabeth would be polite but no more than that. “Mr Bingley, how do you do?”

“Miss Bingley, Bingley,” Darcy said.

After saying hello and paying Elizabeth a compliment on her dress, Bingley and Darcy spoke for a minute or so. During that time, Caroline attempted to engage Elizabeth in conversation.

“How is your dear sister, Georgiana? I was desolate when I heard that she had remained behind at Pemberley.”

“She is very well, thank you,” Elizabeth said.

“Is she not to come back at all?” Caroline said. She still believed that her best chance to make a friend of Elizabeth would be through Georgiana.

“No, she is fixed in Derbyshire. Have you been enjoying the Season?” Elizabeth asked. She did not wish to speak about Georgiana or encourage anything other than polite nothings in her exchange with Miss Bingley.

“Oh, yes, very. The entire town is talking about you, of course. I would be quite jealous if our families were not so closely connected.” Caroline tittered but stopped abruptly when she saw that Elizabeth was looking at her with an expression that was perplexed and not at all amused.

“What connection in particular were you meaning, Miss Bingley?” Darcy said. “Other than my friendship with your brother, there is no connection of note of which I am aware.”

“Really, Caroline,” Bingley said sotto voce. He was quite tired of listening to his sister try to make people believe that she had any sort of friendship with Mrs Darcy or even with Miss Darcy who, everyone knew, was not out and was not in London at the moment. Other than on walks through the Park with her brother and sister, Miss Darcy had not even been seen that Season. The only thing Caroline accomplished by such attempts was making herself look ridiculous and desperate.

“If you will excuse us, I see some friends of ours,” Darcy said, curtly nodding his head at Miss Bingley while Elizabeth smiled and took his arm.

“Oh?” Caroline said. “Who? Perhaps I know them as well. Do you see who Mr Darcy means, Charles?”

“Let us go find Louisa and Hurst, Caroline,” Bingley said.

“But…”

She protested no further as her brother took her arm and led her away from the Darcys.

Darcy and Elizabeth smiled at each other.

“I am very glad that you do not wish me to befriend your friend’s sister. I am afraid it would not be possible,” Elizabeth said in low enough a voice that no one else would hear them.

“It would, indeed, be a test of your fortitude and I am afraid it would not be conducive to your happiness.”

***

Having been dismissed by the Darcys and lectured by her brother (and even her sister who had the temerity to suggest that finding a husband would be a better use of her time than attempting to befriend Mrs Darcy), Caroline Bingley was not feeling particularly charitable towards the couple. It happened that she was introduced to Miss Martha Simms after hearing a mutual acquaintance mention that Miss Simms was a neighbour of the Darcys in the country. Caroline’s purpose in seeking an introduction was to learn more about the new Mrs Darcy, perhaps something that would assist her in her attempts to become friends with the lady—such as by earning her gratitude after telling her of the malicious gossip Miss Simms readily shared. Failing that, she hoped to hear something that would make her feel the snub she received from the Darcys less than she did.

Caroline Bingley quickly determined that Martha Simms did not like Elizabeth Darcy and had a very poor opinion of her. She encouraged Miss Simms to speak freely saying that she, too, did not see anything to admire in Mrs Darcy. Miss Simms was more than willing to tell her new friend why she thought Mr Darcy had made a fool of himself when he married Elizabeth Bennet, assuring Miss Bingley that her opinion was shared by everyone in Derbyshire.

Unfortunately for Miss Simms and Miss Bingley, they were overhead by none other than Mr and Mrs Darcy. The two ladies were sitting in a corner of the room, being indiscreet—they were doing little to avoid being seen together or overheard—and did not notice when Elizabeth and Darcy happened to walk by. Hearing ‘Mrs Darcy’ from the lips of Martha Simms, who had insulted Elizabeth more than once, surprised Elizabeth and Darcy and halted their steps.

“No one likes Mrs Darcy; I can promise you that. We all know very well that she never should have been Mrs Darcy, and she certainly is doing a very poor job of it. It is much talked of, and everyone knows that Mr Darcy deeply regrets his choice. But what can he do? The stories I can tell you!”

“I knew it!” Caroline Bingley said, deciding she was extremely pleased that she had not succumbed to a friendship with Elizabeth Darcy; if she had, it would damage her reputation once a positive breach was known to exist between the Darcys. From what Miss Simms was telling her, such a thing was bound to happen very soon. Being eager to hear more of the other lady’s information, she leant forward and said, “Pray continue.”

“Please do, Miss Simms.” Darcy’s deep voice said as he stepped in front of the ladies, Elizabeth’s arm linked through his. “I would be very interested to hear the delightful stories you use to amuse yourself, and I am confident that your father will be as well. Miss Bingley, I am shocked that you would listen to spiteful gossip—as you must know it is—about me and my wife. Your brother will be most disappointed.”

The looks on the faces of both Miss Simms and Miss Bingley demonstrated their dread.

“Oh, Mr Darcy!” called Mrs Simms as she approached them. “How good it is to see you again. Mrs Darcy, how do you do?”

“Mrs Simms,” Darcy said, not allowing the woman to continue, “do you know where your husband is? I must speak to him immediately.”

“Mr Darcy,” Miss Simms said, leaping to her feet and turning ashen, “I pray, please do…”

“Martha, whatever could be the matter with you?” Mrs Simms hissed. She looked between her daughter, the downcast eyes of the lady with whom she had been talking, and the stern countenance of Mr Darcy. Her face grew red as her features hardened. Before she could or any of the other ladies could speak, Darcy did.

“Mrs Simms, I would ask you to find your husband and have him join us. At once.” Turning to his wife, Darcy added, “Elizabeth, perhaps you would care to join Mrs Dowling? She would be more pleasant company.”

Elizabeth looked uncertain.

“Go on,” Darcy whispered, leaning closer to her. “I will simply ask Mr Simms to take his daughter away, and then find Bingley and tell him of his sister’s involvement in this despicable conversation. I will find you as soon as I can. I do not wish you to have to be in their company any longer.”

Smiling at him, Elizabeth nodded. They had recently seen Mrs Dowling and Elizabeth easily found her again. She also caught Mr Bingley’s eye. She gestured to him, and when he came to her, asked him to go to Darcy, pointing him in the right direction.

While Elizabeth and Mrs Dowling chatted pleasantly, Darcy had very brief conversations with first Bingley and then Mr Simms. He said enough for them to know that Miss Bingley and Miss Simms had been imprudently and very unkindly discussing Mrs Darcy and he was not pleased.

“I am sorry for this, Darcy,” Bingley said. “I have been…” He sighed. “That is of no consequence. I will find Louisa and Hurst and take her home. Shall I call on you tomorrow?”

Darcy nodded.

“Mr Darcy, you must know that I did not mean…” Caroline cried, attempting to correct her grave error.

Bingley told her to hold her tongue and took her arm, pulling her away before she could do further damage.

“Mr Darcy?” Mr Simms said, walking quickly up to him just as Bingley led his sister away. “Mrs Simms was very short on detail, but am I to believe that there is some difficulty?”

He glared at his daughter who became very pale.

“I am afraid that there is, Simms.” Darcy told the older man what he and Elizabeth had overheard, ending with the words, “It is not the first time that your daughter has insulted my wife, as you may remember.”

“I do,” Mr Simms said through clenched teeth.

“To do so in a public place is going too far, and I trust you will see that it does not happen again.”

Mr Simms nodded curtly and barked at his wife that they were leaving. To Darcy, he said, “I will call on you in a day or two to discuss the matter further.”

Darcy nodded once and, to preserve the illusion that they were having a polite conversation, bowed to the ladies before turning his back on them and going to find Elizabeth.

Bingley called the next morning. He made a very pretty apology to Elizabeth and promised to do his best to keep Caroline away from her.

He said much the same to his friend when Elizabeth left them alone.

“Hurst told her how disgusting and stupid she was, as did I. She made various excuses, but not even Louisa believed her. You know how Hurst’s family would act if Louisa or Caroline did any damage to their name; they barely accept Louisa as it is and only did because of her fortune. I will do what I can and talk to Louisa and Hurst further. If Caroline does not receive any offers this Season…” He sighed. “I do not know what I shall do with her. It might be best if I find an estate and settle on it. She would keep house for me and perhaps she would have more chance of catching some man’s interest in the country.”

Darcy listened and when Bingley was finished, said, “Bingley, I cannot and will not tolerate anyone, even your sister, insulting my wife.”

Bingley nodded and scratched his jaw. Darcy trusted he understood the meaning behind his words. If Caroline Bingley disgraced herself again, he would not hesitate to severe his friendship with Bingley.

The other visitor the Darcys received that morning was Mr Simms. He began by offering a sincere apology with no excuses or explanations. He knew very well that should he try to do less than humble himself, Darcy would toss him out on his ear. Simms could not afford to be on the outs with Darcy. He knew that Darcy would never tolerate any insult to his wife and that, whatever his daughter or wife might say, Darcy was not in the least displeased with Mrs Darcy. Mrs Darcy had been warmly embraced by those in and around Pemberley; saying otherwise was nothing other than spite and jealousy.

“I have decided that my daughter would benefit from spending time with my wife’s relations in Ireland. Mrs Simms goes with her, and I expect they will make a long visit of it. They will leave as soon as arrangements can be made. I am certain that you will not be… You will not see them again before they depart.”

“Oh,” Elizabeth said. After a slight pause, she continued. “Your younger daughter, Miss Jane, will feel the loss of her sister and mother, I am afraid. When we are in Derbyshire again, you must send her to Pemberley. I would be happy to know her better.”

There was no doubt in Mr Simms’ mind that Elizabeth would never wish to know his older daughter (or wife) better. He could not blame her.

“You may not have heard, but Mr Darcy and I saw Miss Jane when we were lately at Pemberley. We were out riding, and she was walking. She has always impressed me as a kind, agreeable young lady.”

Darcy smiled at her; even though she owed Simms no consideration, she offered him a kindness by praising his second, overlooked, daughter.

“You are too good, Mrs Darcy,” Simms said. “I am sure that Jane would benefit from your condescension.”

“I hope that she and I can both benefit from a friendship, as will my sister, Miss Darcy.”

Mr Simms left with an even higher opinion of Mrs Darcy than he had had and knowing that his good mood was far more than he deserved.

There you have it—comeuppance for Caroline Bingley and Martha Simms. I hope you have enjoyed this deleted scene.

Lucy