] Edward does 'belong' to Lucy, fair and square as it were, and really Elinor is the one who is intruding on Lucy's territory (although unknowingly), and yet JA has our feelings all the other way. Quite amazing!

I think JA makes us realize early-on that Lucy and Edward are not engaged because of love on either side, so the idea that one of them would sincerely "fall" for someone else is acceptable. And since that someone is E., a character that most of us admire and "esteem," it is totally palatable. I would be interested to know how this was received by readers in the 19th century. My feeling is that is would be generally accepted at the time the book was written, but perhaps less accepted later in the century, during the reign of Queen Victoria.