Chapter 4 - nelson

Sir William and I finally reached our home, the Palazzo Sessa a month later and there we dove into the task of fattening me up with a vengeance. While I did gain weight, and the meals seemed incessant, I just didn't have the appetite I had had before my bout with the miasma. There were days when I tried to remain in my bed, surrounded by my favorite foods, with Sir William encouraging me to dive in with belly rubs and gentle strokes of my plump arms and breasts, but in spite of all his attentions and all the wonderful foods, I just didn't blossom. I had determined that limiting my physical activity would surely put the pounds on me, and Sir William had added that the drinking of Port wine would also help, so I lay in bed most days, with the breezes of Italy blowing through the sheers of my open window tickling my naked form, surrounded by a smorgasbord of delightful dishes, and sipping my port in a glorious stupor. My body though, refused to behave as it had in the past, when it seemed that the sight of good food would add a stone to my form.
I was called by the good people of Naples to sing at the opera, and they had even arranged that I travel to Madrid in Spain to compete against the renowned Angelica Catalani but I had no heart for it. Not only was I not back in my former operatic form, but I dreaded any kind of sea voyage like the plague and begged out of the engagement. They asked if I would care to resume my "Attitudes" as these performances were also sorely missed but I found myself in a quandry. My body was in the betweens, not nearly grand enough to allow my voice to soar in the opera but too flabby, with all the skin I had accumulated at my fattest, sagging and cellulite ridden, and refusing to swell as I had hoped my return to Naples would allow. I felt at times like a half filled wine-skin and though occasionally Sir William felt his little soldier awaken when he tried to rouse it between the folds of my belly, he never was able to arouse to the level that would allow us to make love, and even the tricks of the Romans would see no reversal. This was a frustrating time for me, and I felt as Tantalus, surrounded by foods and all the charms of Italy and unable to have any of my passions fulfilled.
All of this was cured quite by accident when in the summer of the year 1793. You recall that by this time the French had not only had a Republican Revolution, and cut off their King's head but had gone so far as to change the number of days in the week, and the months of the year as well. They were certainly radicals and His Majesty could not sit idly by and allow this sort of conduct so had had to declare war. The French were not unanimous in their Revolutionary Fervor and the city of Toulon had declared that it would enjoy the protection of the British Mediterranean fleet from their own countrymen, so Admiral Hood had obliged. This led him to send to Naples a heroic young captain by the name of Horatio Nelson with dispatches for Sir William and a request to Naples' King Ferdinand VI for reinforcements for Toulon. While I still did not feel well at the time, Sir William begged that I attempt to rouse the patriotic ardor of our circle, who he felt might well persuade King Ferdinand to help, with one of my magical parties in our home. I was a little hesitant to do so in spite of my affection for Sir William when I as I stood before my open window breathing the morning air I beheld Nelson from afar and my heart was taken!
He was not the tallest of men, nor the most strikingly handsome but he had an air about him that spoke of confidence beyond anything I had ever seen even from afar. He moved with grace incarnate and moved his limbs in a fluid and supple way that suggested that he too, could perform his own "Attitudes" and though not near enough to see his face, I could almost feel the power of his gaze and the splendor of his brow from my window. I leaned out through the sheers grasping the iron-wrought railing tightly in my shaking hands and he turned an looked up, right into my eyes! Though he was still a distance away I saw his wonderful smile and then beheld him raise his hand in a friendly wave. Unconsciously I grasped at my bosom, and then all of my self consciousness returned! What would he think of a flabby matron, in a faded night dress, with hair unkempt and face undone! I moved to return inside my bedroom, casting but one more glance his way and he had taken a couple of smooth strides forward still looking me through!
"I thought a walk through the sweet air of a Naples morning to be the most wonderful cure for seasickness I could ever hope, until now mum, as I have seen something sweeter and surely more felicitous!" he called!
"Sir you flatter me! I am in a state of great undress but I adore what I have heard!" I found myself replying, to which Nelson added. "And I have heard you plan on entertaining for our cause come Friday night, and I look forward to it more than a sojurn in England! Pray give my best to your husband and keep a place for me by your side Friday!"
I would hostess Sir Williams party, and I would do my attitudes, and I even might find myself singing! When I pulled myself back into my room I found an appetite that had been gone for years, and rapidly finished the breakfast treats that had sat waiting at my bedside. I did not however, partake in any port! I would save my head for my coming soire!