] I have this vision..of EH as an inspiration for Mrs Elton! GAH!

...but Emma Hamilton could sort of say "My brother Mr. Suckling" or at least "My uncle Mr. Suckling" (I know she wasn't married to Nelson but she did a good job of pretending). Nelson's uncle was Captain Maurice Suckling who was responsible for the nepotism required to launch Nelson's navy career. And Emma was apparently "rather course in her voice and manners" I think she also rather fancied herself as one of the leading socialites and didn't realise how she missed the mark.

When I first thought about it I supposed it unlikely that JA had any connection with Nelson but in fact her brothers Francis and Charles must have talked of him. Not sure if they ever served directly under him or Suckling?

Horatia Nelson Thomson (Emma & Nelson's illegitimate daughter) makes a lovely Harriet Smith; sweet, pretty and thick as two short planks. Despite being "looked after" by Emma she apparently never truly accepted who her parents were.

All pure conjecture but fun to consider!