Charles, Emma, and her mother lived together in a small house near Paddington Green. Charles had no fortune, and they lived in modest and economical way. During these four years Emma received instruction in music and singing and Charles encouraged her to read poetry and novels and to take an interest in a wide range of issues.

In the summer of 1782 she was introduced to the artist George Romney who painted her at least 38 times, often in classical poses. Emma had a profound effect on Romney and his later work. (Emma would later be painted by Reynolds, Hoppner, and Lawrence in England, and afterwards by numerous artists in England)

In the summer of 1784 Greville's maternal uncle, Sir William Hamilton, ambassador at Naples and a widower, came to England on leave, and at his nephew's house saw and was greatly impressed by his mistress. "She is better", he is reported to have said, "than anything in nature. In her particular way she is finer than anything that is to be found in antique art."

By this time Charles realised that his only chance of financial stability was to marry a wealthy wife and set about ridding himself of Emma by forging a relationship between her and his uncle. To this end Emma was encouraged to go, with her mother, for a holiday in Naples.

Naples was indeed invaded by the French, but then recaptured and on 24 June 1799 Nelson was able to return to Naples. He was sent by the King and Queen to negotiate the peace, and with him were Sir William and Emma.

It was here that Emma played a part in the greatest scandal to dog Nelson's career. 

The Neapolitan admiral was executed for treason and rebellion, although Nelson could have shown him mercy. Emma is said to have been present at his execution, and of having shown indecent satisfaction at his death. 

Whether from vanity, emotional enthusiasm, or genuine admiration, Lady Hamilton undoubtedly laid herself out, with too complete success to win Nelson's heart. The two lived for and with each other, to the scandal of the Mediterranean station, keeping up at all times the extraordinary pretence of a pure platonism. Nobody knows precisely when the developing relationship was finally consumated. Some say it was in Palermo and others that it was as late as April 1800 when she and Sir William accompanied Nelson in the Foudroyant on a visit to Malta. Sir William bore Nelson no malice and husband, wife and lover formed a relationship which has been described as "Trio Juncta in Uno".

Some time around April Emma fell pregnant with Nelson's child (although there was never proof that Emma bore the child or that Nelson was the father)

By the summer of 1800 Sir William had been recalled to England and Nelson had run out of excuses why he needed to remain at Naples. The decision was made that Nelson and the Hamiltons would return to England together, not by sea, but overland.

Christmas was spent at Fonthill, William Beckford's Gothic mansion in Wiltshire. Emma gave a performance of her "attitudes", telling in mime the story of Agrippina and as an encore she inappropriately imitated an abbess welcoming novices to her convent.

By now Emma was 8 months pregnant.

Emma and Sir William rented 23, Piccadilly and on about 28 January she gave birth. 

Nelson left to join the Channel Fleet and there followed a bizarre intrigue whereby Emma and Nelson pretended that their child was that of one of Nelson's sailors and had been adopted by them.

In fact the child was given to the care of a nurse, allowing Emma to continue a normal life. In her letters to Nelson she was disparaging about Fanny and Josiah, her son, refering to them as "Tom-tit and the cub".

The philandering Prince of Wales had designs on Emma and Nelson was driven to distraction as to what might happen in his absence.

By October Emma had arranged the purchase of Merton Place, Surrey and moved in with Sir William.

Nelson joined them when The Treaty of Amiens brought a peace with the French which would last until May 1803.

This was the period of "Paradise Merton". Emma, Sir William, and Nelson lived as a "menage a trois". Emma entertained whilst Sir William fished and regularly drove up to London. The not inconsiderable household expenses were shared between Nelson and Sir William.

Members of Nelson's extended family and other acquaintances were regularly in attendance.

Between 21st July and 5th September they made a tour of the Midlands and Wales. The aim of the tour was to visit Sir William's estates at Milford Haven, but en route they visited some 20 other towns. The tour was a huge success, Nelson being generally feted everywhere he went

Sir William died. 

Emma took on a smaller house in Clarges Street

Under Sir William's will Emma's debts were to be settled. In addition she received a lump sum of £800 and an annuity of £800 charged on the Welsh estates and payable quarterly.

Emma began to  petition the government for financial reward in recognition of her services to her country whilst in Naples.

With the recommencement of war with France Nelson left Emma, to take up his new position as Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet.

Emma, by now, was expecting another child.

Emma could not settle and drifted between Merton and Clarges Street. She passed her time with friends and Nelson's extended family.

These 2 years, when Nelson did not set foot on dry land, saw a copious correspondence between Emma and Nelson. We have only his letters to Emma as he carefully destroyed hers to him.

During this time Nelson allowed Emma £100 per month for expenses at Merton

Between Christmas and New Year she gave birth to Nelson's second child, named Emma. The child did not survive long, though the circumstances of its birth and short life are uncertain.

20 Aug 1805 -

13 Sep 1805

At 10 30 p.m. Nelson left Merton to rejoin the fleet. In his diary he wrote:

"At half past ten drove from dear, dear, Merton where I left all which I hold dear in this world...."

To George Matcham who was holding the horses of the carriage he said:

"Brave Emma. If there were more Emmas, there could be more Nelsons"

Nelson wrote his last letter to Emma. It was unfinished and only delivered to her after his death. In it he wrote:

"My dearest beloved Emma, the dear friend of my bosom....I will take care that my name shall ever be most dear to you and Horatia, both of whom I love as much as my own life."

Nelson wrote a codicil to his will, in which he acknowledged the contribution made by Emma and stated: "I leave Emma, Lady Hamilton therefore a Legacy to my King and Country that they will give her an ample provision to maintain her Rank in Life."

It was witnessed by Captains Hardy and Blackwood.

Later that day Nelson was killed in the Battle of Trafalgar

In Nelson's will Emma was left Merton and its contents, a cash sum of £2000, and £500 a year for life secured on the income from his Bronte estate.

Emma continued to keep open house to any professed friend or acquaintance of Nelson, and many were the sharks who took her hospitality and gave nothing in return. She was reckless, she was absurdly generous and with hindsight she was remarkably stupid.

She continued to pursue a pension through any avenue she thought open to her.

By now Emma was in almost hopeless dificulties. It was obvious even to Emma that she was bankrupt.

A meeting of some friends was held to consider her case; as a result of which Merto and the rest of her property was assigned to creditors, and a sum of £3700, to be charged on the estate, was arised for her immediate necessities. 

Emma was arrested for debt and consigned to the Kings Bench prison where she remained for a year.

Whilst there she invited the Prince of Wales to dine with her which he duly did.

Two volumes were published anonymously entitled "The Letters of Lord Nelson to Lady Hamilton with a supplement of Interesting Letters by Distinguished Characters."

The affect was catastrophic since amongst other things Nelson had described the Prince of Wales as "a frequenter of pimps and bawds".

The publisher may have been James Harrison or a servant, Oliver, with whom Emma had quarelled.

Until her death (and in her obituary in the Morning Post) Emma was accused of selling the letters for personal gain. 

2 old friends negotiated a temporary release from prison and Emma took advantage of this to flee to France. She and Horatia boarded the channel packet at Tower Bridge and landed at Calais.

Emma died.

Her body may have been embalmed for return to England but this did not happen and she was buried in Calais in the graveyard of the Eglise de St Pierre. During the rebuilding of Calais the grave has disappeared.

Horatia, just 14 years old, returned to England and lived under the care of Nelson's sister Catherine, and her family the Matchams. She married a clergyman Stephen Ward, had 8 children, and died at the age of eighty, still denying that Emma was her mother.