PRIDE and PREJUDICE

Check-Mate

I do not own the copy rights to the book, or bbc special, Pride and Prejudice

Bryant and Maynar talk

A/N A 3 of the Bennets are in the next chapter I promise

Ch.3

Maynar sat at his desk ignoring his title of king and focused on working on papers instead; he was finishing up when Bryant walked in with his left hand twitching - a fact he was attempting to conceal. "What do you want?" Maynar's voice was non-emotional and his poker-face very much in place as he pretended not to notice.

"Has anyone heard from Sophrina?" Bryant looked at his brother.

His brother's use of a name their sister could not stomach irked Maynar to no end, but he simply replied - with just as much lack of emotion as before that; no, he had not. "However, I would think that would make you happy. After all, you insist she's a criminal." Maynar finally set the papers aside and leaned back. "Abigail accepted your push for her to go into exile, so why you're asking about her now is beyond me. It's not like I asked where she was going."

Abigail being forced to leave did more than annoy Maynar; his blood boiled over the subject. What his sister had been accused of he refused to dwell on at the moment for the simple fact there was no desire in his private circle to expose Bryant for what he was quite yet. They needed more concrete evidence.

"She drained our shared funds before leaving." Bryant snapped. "What right did our sister have to do that? She should be brought back here to answer for it. And while we're at it, why are you referring to her as Abigail; her names is Sophrina."

"It's her first name, yes, but..." Maynar's jaw set hard. "...you know as well as I, she prefers Abigail. As to her draining any of our shared funds goes - it was only one account, and it wasn't she who closed it." He leaned forward grateful Connor and Raven, two of his most loyal men, were also in the room. It not only gave him witnesses to what he was saying, it kept him - Maynar- from doing something he'd regret later. "I closed it and gave her the money just before she left."

Appalled, Bryant snapped again, "What on earth did you do that for?"

"She has to get trained in some line of work before she can fully stand on her own." Maynar's face remained as stone. "And, if she uses it wisely, there will be enough for her to get on her feet no matter where she lands."

"I take it then it was you who allowed her to take our mother's jewelry?"

Maynar wanted to knock Bryant's nose out of the air. "She was allowed to pick out half a dozen items, yes. They were rightfully hers. However, none of the pieces sister picked were the most expensive. Our oldest sister, took those when she married. You can…" Maynar leaned forward, "...leave, unless there is something else?"

"When are you going to marry?" Bryant softened his tone and then grinned. "Sharlene would make a quite the bride. Her family was extremely well of, high bred, perfect match for a king."

"I sent her back to her parents." Maynar hid his delight at the shocked look on Bryant's face and listened to him stutter as he asked why on earth had he done such a thing. After all, Sharlene would have been a fine catch.

"For my money, yes. For me, no. Now…" He nodded towards the door. "Do you go of your own accord, or do one of these men show you out?"

"No need to get all riled up." Bryant stood and straightened his jacket. "I'm going. I'm going."

"I don't think your brother was impressed." Connor's dark eyes danced though he's five foot-ten frame did not move.

"You think?" Maynar then pointed to Raven and ordered him not to even think it.

"Too late?" Raven's mouth twitched and all three men laughed; his short dark hair matched that of Maynar's, though his face was nowhere near as full.

"On a more serious note." Connor sighed as he ran his hair through his soft, white hair. It gave him a look of being older than he was. "Your brother is still trying to find...her. You do realize that's his real motivation for causing your sister trouble. He believes she knows the lady is." He, like many, did not say names simply because inside it felt as if they were keeping her safe from Bryant.

"I would think that was a given. But there was no wedding, so it's not like he, or I, have a legal reason to go after her." Maynar excused the men and went to stand by the window.

His dark hair was beginning to show streaks of gray, a testament given by light which passed through the glass and cause the silver to shine. His shadow showed he was not a slender man. However, by no means was he fat. Like his brothers, Maynar was not much taller than the others. However, there was an aurora surrounding him that shouted he might as well have been over six feet.

'Only a fool thinks Bryant's intended fled unintentionally. I dare say very few women can see through his act. My sister being one of them. If she hadn't put exposed his game to me, I'd not be where I am now. I wouldn't have a dozen, or more, eyes on him. Praise be, I woke up before it was too late.'

Maynar thought back to telling Bryant he hadn't asked where their sibling was going; and he hadn't -not exactly. Nonetheless, her coded remark to him just as she was getting ready to leave their country let him know exactly where she'd be. However; if little brother thought that was information he was going to hand out to anyone, Bryant would be greatly disappointed. No, that was information big brother was keeping to himself. A knock at the door took Maynar back to his seat.

"Well, hello Erick." Maynar smiled at his baby brother and his nurse slash governess. "I didn't expect to see you until dinner."

"Sorry…" Annie's next words were covered by a sound of a loud squeal out in the hallway. It wasn't a sound that was new. No, it was the housekeeper's grandson getting into trouble yet again. "Sorry, Erick and I were having a rough morning. I was hoping you would talk to him."

"Not a problem." Maynar wouldn't have said it was only he knew an agitated look when he saw one. "Here…" Erick's brother stood up. "...let's go by the window." He led his brother forward but waved the governess to stay where she was at. "So, Erick what's wrong?"

"My fault Abby gone." A tear rolled down his cheek.

"How is it your fault?" Maynar grew concerned when his baby brother wouldn't answer, but only repeated he was not to blame.

"I don't know what gave you that idea, only the blame does not lay at your feet." After talking some more, Eric's governess sent home for the night while Erick stayed near Maynar.