The answer is not at all surprising - after all, she's forced to live with a man who has his own vices, indulging in alcohol included. Maybe at first, it had been done as a way to cope with the loss of her mother, but since then, it's become, sadly, an everyday occurrence. She returns the smile with her own, one that hints that she's more aware than a woman of her age should be. "After this outburst, I suspect that he's better off on his own, don't you?"

Oh, goodness, watching the scene in front of her unfold, Amelia can't help but feel a wave of secondhand embarrassment wash over her. It's funny, certainly, to see the older woman behave in such a way, but knowing the stories that are probably already starting to spread makes her hate these types of functions all the more. While she might feel just the slightest bit distressed, she certainly does her best to conceal it. Best not to draw attention to herself and give the gossips all the more fodder to make up tales with.

"Amelia Atwater," she replies, offering a curtsy that has been honed to perfection after years of practice. "and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance - even if this isn't the most ... typical of circumstances." She stands straighter, nodding and chuckling gently. "I'm fine, thank you. And believe me, I've seen worse."

She's flattered by the compliment, and she ducks her head, glad for the darkness of the evening, and being able to hide her flushed cheeks. "Oh, I don't think that I'll ever have more than just the smallest glass of wine with dinner. Goodness knows that I don't want to end up like that."