Reluctant to allow Barnaby first plea (8)
I believe the answer is:
begrudge
'reluctant to allow' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.
'barnaby first plea' is the wordplay.
'barnaby' becomes 'rudge' (Barnaby Rudge is a Dickens novel).
'first' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'plea' becomes 'beg' (both can mean a request).
'rudge' after 'beg' is 'BEGRUDGE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for begrudge that I've seen before include "Envy (someone) the enjoyment of" , "Resent other's good fortune or possession" , "Envy another's possessions or good fortune" , "Unwillingly allow" , "Give resentfully" .)