Bronte character -- check Edward's first in list (9)
I believe the answer is:
rochester
'bronte character' is the definition.
(Mr Rochester from Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre)
'check edward's first in list' is the wordplay.
'check' becomes 'ch' (abbreviation).
'edward's first' becomes 'e' (1st letter of 'edward').
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'list' becomes 'roster' (a roster is a list or register).
'ch'+'e'='che'
'che' inserted inside 'roster' is 'ROCHESTER'.
(Other definitions for rochester that I've seen before include "Earl of ---, C 17 poet" , "Kent cathedral city" , "Jane Eyre married him" , "Kent town" , "Jane blindly married him" .)