Act II, Scene I: Why does Don Pedro appear to propose marriage to Beatrice, why might this be serious, or even in jest?

Beatrice remarks that everyone is getting married and leaving home except she herself. Don Pedro gallantly offers to marry her but she refuses, telling him he is "too costly to wear every day" (2.1.287). I think there is a little seriousness in Don Pedro. Many critics feel Don Pedro might have loved Beatrice. The marriage offer is done in half jest so that Beatrice who enables Beatrice to let him down easily.