Just gobsmacked a thought that may not have been raised about Edward Ferrars. True enough, nothing in S&S suggest it, but to draw from a Shakespeare; "by indirections, find directions out." -Polonius in
Hamlet?
Perhaps Edward's initial attraction to Elinor was not so much infatuation, but he realized he had a sister-in-law connection who is worthy. After all, many men of character will attach to non-related females, those whom he would wish were blood kin. Edward's brother Robert is a coxcombe (sp? as in the book?) and his sister Fanny is cruel and greedy, as illustrated to a lesser or greater extent within the adaptions, and John Dashwood, the connecting link, does not have the calcium in his back of a paving stone. Now he meet Elinor. It is not long that he see qualities that he may realize Lucy does not have. I think he want a respectable sister, but the story time line march on.
I submit Elinor's and Edward's time together at Norland to be honorable. He was genuinely fond of her as a sister, even Marianne and Margaret, but Marianne is a bit annoying and Margaret a bit on the young side, even though certain roles for big brothers/little sisters may have been appropriate, even then. It may be confusing if the door opened up for an attachment that is more marital than kindred.
"The avalanche has started. It is too late for the pebbles to vote." -Ambassador Kosh Naranek
