It's not about settling down and becoming domestic with Henry. The little predatory twerp wanted to make a "small hole in Fanny's heart." Then, later on, in resuming his flirtation with Mrs. Rushworth, he applied his considerable charming skill at re-attaching her once again.

Down through the ages some things never change. This type of individual stubbornly persists does he not? IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING QUITE AS HUMANLY DESTRUCTIVE AS A YOUNG SINGLE MAN WITH NOT ENOUGH TO DO.

And yes, the influence of ANY father figure weighs on and heavily influences the young charge under his authority, either negatively or positively or in some cases a mixture of both.