Okay, I'm just putting this out there...
Early in the relationship when they're still friends: Ebenezer trying to deal with a drunk Reader because she's not used to ALL THE FRIGGIN' ALCOHOL. (Like, the toffs had a different wine for every course of the meal, didn't they?) She tried so hard to pace herself, but her young, middle-class American constitution just couldn't hold out with it! So now we've got Ebenezer trying to keep her from embarrassing herself and get her at least a little sobered up so she can at least stand on her own two feet:
Oh, bollocks--she's throwing up: Better help hold her hair! Damn, she got some on her dress! Oh, well, she said her aunt was the one that had it made for her and Reader hates it anyway, so it's no loss. No, no, no! Don't go to sleep here--you'll be right in the vomit! Come on, with me--over here. That's right, sit down there and relax. Breathe. Slowly. You're all right, Sweetness--I have you. Bloody, hell you're a mess: You shouldn't have drunk so much! No, no, no--I'm not cross with you; I'm just worried about you. I had a bad feeling when I looked at you halfway through dinner.











