FF PRIDE and PREJUDICEAU NOT Cannon

Check-Mate

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

A/N Thank-you to anyone sticking with this 'Not Common' (at least not for me) Fan Fiction. I really appreciate it

And, again, I promise I do go back to the Bennet's.

Conversations in Maynar's domain

Ch. 8

Maynar sat at his desk more unsettled than he was letting on. Yes, his sister was stubborn and more than a bit bull-headed and had uncovered things others had missed. However, she was in no way irresponsible or careless, and Jasmine? She'd never been been the strongest person around. Maynar had quickly picked up Bryant's motive for having someone accompany their sister out of their small country. However, he'd not ever thought Jasmine would flip to the point of thinking the dead were outside her room trying to get to her.

"You'll have to send someone to get her or let us commit her. Jasmine has flipped her lid. She was okay when she got first got here, but now? No." Mr. Hughes had said when he'd called the number the lady had in her book. That hadn't bothered him so much; it could be easily arranged. It was the gentleman's next words, spoken softer, that really disturbed him. "We haven't seen Miss Abigail for at least two weeks. I'd have called sooner only - in between Miss Jasmine's mixed-up, rambled, rantings and our own family emergency - it was put on the back burner. And…" Maynar had heard the man swallow. "We didn't take Jasmine's other complaints as legit as Miss Abigail had already told us to not to take anything she claimed too serious. But when I realized it had been two weeks. a red flag sprung up."

Maynar had asked if there was any sign of her being taken against her will. He was told there had been no forced entries whether by a door or window, and the car she and Jasmine taken to town had never been out of sight. "Are there any hidden passages in that place? My sister has a knack for finding things like that." Maynar had been told there had been rumors at one point, but no one had ever actually found one.

"You should be sending someone to look for her." Bryant, who had learned of their sister's disappearance by accident, came into the room with a scowl on his face.

"And it was you who insisted she leave our country and not return. One of the reasons was over missing money you insisted your 'evidence' proved she'd stolen; most of which – I may add- has been accounted for. And the other? YOU insisted on her making that stupid vow which is too insulting to repeat. So…" Maynar leaned back, "How about you telling me the real reason you are so concerned."

"She's our sister, isn't that enough?" Bryant kept his frown in place.

"For most, yes. But Abigail is a league unto herself." Maynar shook his head while his eyes added 'I don't believe you're as worried as you pretend to be.' "So, while, yes, I am concerned; I'm not willing to go looking for her quite yet. You could always go."

"I would." Bryant sat up stiffly, "Only I have serious obligations to our family here. I can't shirk my duties." His dark eyes did their best to intimidate Maynar, to no avail.

"Go take care of your...duties." Maynar leaned forward with a look in his eye that made it so it was Bryant who ended up squirming before leaving. However, he still insisted on asking if Maynar had any intention of looking for their sister. "With what I just said, that question is an insult to my intelligence. Now, go, our sister has not been forgotten...by any of us." It was only when Bryant had made his departure did Abigail's oldest brother call in Connor and Raven.

"We all know it's not Abigail missing that has my 'dear' brother so concerned. Have you any idea why Bryant is wanting to find Joy so bad? I mean it's not like she is royalty."

"Your highness, her ladyship's family was still quite powerful. People loved her even if they had issues with her father. I think they wanted to see Joy wed into your family and since you weren't an option...Bryant took advantage of that." Raven pointed out a few other things about Joy's family that had Maynar shaking his head.

"Let me get this straight...are you saying you agree with Joy and my sister; Bryant started the fire that killed her family?" Maynar ignored the topic of why the lady had not been a realistic bride for him; it would do no good and he really did wish to know where Abigail was. "I'll send you a letter at the end of the month; if not, you'll know something has happened.' It wasn't anything he'd told Bryant about only because their sister had insisted 'that' sibling be kept in the dark.

"If I am wrong, and Bryant didn't; I'm convinced he paid someone to do it." When Raven was asked why he was so convinced that was the case, the guard pointed out Bryant wanted someone by his side the people loved. "I also believe he wants to see you someone they cannot stand. Which explains the last three ladies he's sent your way."

"Get the power in his hands without having my blood on his conscience." Maynar understood that part, but the fire confused him. "If he has no issues with that, why not gun for me directly?"

"He still might, which is why…" Connor gave Maynar his own stern glare. "We haven't let you out of our sight." He roared when Maynar muttered, sarcastically, he hadn't noticed. "As much as I sympathize with you, I think we need to focus on your sister?"

"I am - more than you may think." Maynar again leaned forward and asked about the mansion his sister had gone to. "The people there? The Hughes? Are they trustworthy? His rattled off a few questions.

"I think, sire." Connor nodded toward Raven. "Go ahead and send him to check things out. We both know a bear trap is looser than his mouth. If Bryant tries to convince people you don't care, it would show him to the liar not you. Also, no one would question if you sent a man known to be honorable to go look for her."

"I could take Quinton." Raven knew the older gentleman's name had not ever been mentioned before as he had lessened the work he was doing.

"Good idea." Maynar grinned. "Man's honest as the day is long; his mouth is tighter than yours, and - if Bryant tries to get people upset over who you took it - would most likely blow up in his face. They trust him even more than they do me."