I think he was interested in pursuing a relationship with Anne, and I've always felt quite certain that this is why CW attempted to persuade CB to join him on his trip--because he did NOT want CB to follow through with the friendship with Anne.

However, I believe that CB is lonely and eager for attention, and that he is distracted from his beginnings of tender feelings for Anne by the availiability of Louisa.

I do like CB, although I don't think he compares with CW. I think that CB is actually guilty of the character flaw LR thought she saw in CW. She thought his happy-go-lucky, easy-come easy-go attitude indicated instability of emotion, affection, faithfulness. Obviously this is not the case; CW is gregarious and charismatic, but deeply devoted to those he cares about even when he is not with them (re: abiding deep feelings for CH even after they had not spent time together for several years or were even in the same profession anymore; deep empathy for CH even when it means taking a journey to go to him). CB, on the other hand, as Anne observed, needs someone to love. He was attached to Fanny, but as soon as she is no longer available, he is willing to attach himself to the first agreeable available female. I really do like him, and think he's a good-hearted fellow, but he obviously needs someone to love and he needs to be loved, or he becomes despondent and non-productive.