England's Mistress_ The Infamous Life of Emma Hamilton - Kate Williams [86]
A visit from Greville's friend Heneage Legge cemented his resolve. Emma had become fond of Legge when he visited Edgware Row—she had written in an early letter to Greville from Naples that Legge and his friends had better "take care of their hearts when I come back." But when he arrived, Legge bluntly informed Sir William that Emma would be "in-admissable" to his wife's company, for they "had no reason to think her present different from her former line of life." He was scandalized to find his old pet as Sir William's hostess, "much visited by ladies of the highest rank, & many of the Corps diplomatique," and he dashed to inform Greville. "Her influence over him exceeds all belief; his attachment exceeds admiration, it is perfect dotage," he spluttered. Although he admitted she "does the honour of his house with great attention & desire to please" and described the Attitudes as "beyond description beautifull and striking," he still considered her as a mistress, hinting salaciously "you will find her figure much improved since you last saw her."
Legge reported,
She gives everybody to understand that he is now going to England to sollicit the K.'s consent to marry her, & that on her return she shall appear as L[ad]y H. She says it is impossible to continue in her present dubious state, which exposes her to frequent slights & mortifications; & his whole thought, happiness & comfort seems so center'd in her presence, that if she should refuse to return on other terms, I am confident she will gain her point, against which it is the duty of every friend to strengthen his mind as much as possible.
He told Emma that "she could never change her situation for the better, & that she was a happier woman as Mrs H. than she would be as L[ad]y H., when, more reserved behaviour being necessary, she would be depriv'd of half her amusements, & must no longer sing those comic parts which tend so much to the entertainment of herself & her friends." Little was more likely to convince Emma in her resolve to cajole William into marriage than Legge declaring she would be happier (and more amusing to men like him) as a mistress. He admitted, "She does not accede to that doctrine." Legge instructed Greville that "unless great care is taken to prevent it she will in some unguarded hour work upon his empassion'd mind, & effect her design of becoming your aunt." Greville did not protest. He guessed it would be futile and he hoped that Emma, unlike a society lady, would agree to Sir William settling his estate solely on him.
At the same time, William's friends in Naples, including the queen herself, encouraged him to marry Emma. Maria Carolina had not forgotten Emma's tactful rebuff to her husband and also guessed that she would be a more malleable conduit to British influence than Catherine Hamilton had been. By February, the journey to England had been planned. Sir William had become increasingly infuriated by the gall of pompous English visitors telling him what to do. Their efforts to dissuade him had only pushed him further toward marriage. "She will be my wife, no matter what they say," William confided in secret to Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun. But he had one condition: King George had to agree.
By April, Emma, Sir William, and Mrs. Cadogan were visiting Venice, where the lovers toyed with more art and socialized with embittered French emigres, including the Comte d'Artois, Louis XVI's brother, the future Charles X They continued through Brussels and on May 16,1791, arrived in London's Nerot's Hotel, the same hotel where William had stayed when he first met his "fair tea maker." In geographical terms, Emma was just around the corner from Madam Kelly's and not far from the house that had been the Temple of Health. But she was a different person from Amy Lyon. Mrs. Hart was about to become Lady Hamilton.
CHAPTER 24
Engaged for Life
When Emma arrived in London, everyone wanted to meet her and find out whether she had hooked the "consular artist" as a husband. Greville's sister, Lady Frances Harpur, comforted her relations that his "making