Much Ado About Gossip

I am sure that each of the characters from Austen’s novels have an audience that enjoys their inclusion in a story. Whether it is an author wanting to redeem a rogue, a reader waiting for the satisfaction that will come from a particular villain getting their comeuppance, or someone reading to see ODC get their HEA, each character seems to have a devoted group of admirers. I prefer Col. Fitzwilliam, Col. Brandon, and Capt. Wentworth, and when they come up in conversation, I feel like I could gossip about their exploits whenever they make an appearance in the novels I am reading. I find it equally amusing to spin a yarn around these characters and love it when they make an appearance in my stories. 

Which characters do you enjoy reading about most, and why? Which would you like to see make more frequent appearances in JAFF? Are they any you find particularly cringe inducing and could live without?