England's Mistress_ The Infamous Life of Emma Hamilton - Kate Williams [176]
It was some weeks before Emma heard that Nelson's last words were of her and that he had begged the nation to care for her and Horatia. Dividing her time between London and Merton, she was overcome by grief In the absence of William, Sarah, and Charlotte Nelson, who were busy separating themselves from her, she relied on Nelson's sisters. Kitty Matcham complained to her son, George, that Merton was "very dull; quite the reverse to what you knew it." She wanted to leave, but "it really is cruel to mention our going to my Lady at present."9 Emma often took to her bed with Nelson's belongings, receiving her visitors in tears. Abraham Goldsmid, her neighbor, a wealthy Jewish banker, brought his large family to console her and found her sobbing and passing Nelson's gifts of shawls, rings, and bracelets to a solemn group of fifteen, gathered theatrically at the bottom of the bed. She showed Nelson's coat with a flourish, pointing out how the bullet hole was stiff with congealed blood. Emma found that elaborate expression helped temper her anguish. She took Horada to see the wax model of Nelson at Westminster Abbey and wept copiously as she rearranged the hair.
Lady Foster tried to encourage Emma to focus on practical matters. She wondered if Nelson's family had been kind. Emma praised George Matcham, Kitty's husband, who "scarcely leaves me, but tries to make me take some food, or medicine—something to do me good—and with the greatest affection." She was, however, surprised that William Nelson often seemed elated. Emma did not guess it, but William was exhilarated to hear that Nelson had died without changing his will. Bess thought Emma too trusting. Emma, she reported, told her that her lover had "left her Merton, that at first she would have given it up to [William Nelson] but then she thought not. I advised her not by any means." Emma was plagued by worries. Nelson had promised that his last breath would be "occupied in leaving you independent of the World." As she owed astronomical sums of money, she could only hope he had kept his word.
Nelson's will was read in November. William Nelson inherited the estate, excluding Merton but including Bronte, and he also received Nelson's bank accounts and possessions. The government had already made William an earl and his son Horace a viscount, the titles Nelson had so desperately desired, and now he was also Duke of Bronte. Emma received £2,000, plus Merton with all its furniture and fittings and the seventy acres of land, including all the hay, and also £500 a year from the Bronte estate. She would have much less than she had when Nelson was alive.
She tried to assuage her grief for her lover by helping others. Like her, the Boltons and the Matchams had spent lavishly in expectation of Nelson's victorious return. Emma gave them money and deputized her mother to write to Mr. George Rose, Nelson died "leaving behind his favourite Sister with a large family unprovided for." Mrs. Cadogan declared, "Lady Hamilton who's situation is beyond description only prays that you good Sir will do all you can for this Worthy Family it will give the greatest Relief to her Mind… as a Mark of your true & Real attachment to our Lamented Hero." She wrote that the Boltons "at this Moment surround her Ladyships Bed bewailing their sad loss & miserable state." After Nelson's death, his friends, relations, and colleagues were frantic to ensure they did not miss out when the government handed out honors and money. Most demanded Emma's help.
Emma had no idea of the intrigues that swirled around her. Many ordinary people blamed the war for inflation and high taxes, and there had been an outcry at the sheer