Simon Scarrow - Fire and Sword

‘Those who say such things are liars. Worse than liars, traitors.’

‘If that’s the case, then perhaps there are rather more traitors in France than you might like.’ Lucien smiled slightly. ‘Sorry, Napoleon, but you have to know these things.’

‘Yes,’ Napoleon conceded and made a thin smile of contrition. ‘Yes, I do. Apologies, brother. Please continue.’

‘Very well. As I said, there is a strong voice for peace in France. Talleyrand is playing on that for all he is worth. But he knows that the army is behind you.While you have the loyalty of your soldiers there is nothing he can do. However, with the growing threat of war with Austria, people are beginning to wonder what will happen to them if France is defeated. You will surely be removed from the throne, and those like Talleyrand and Fouché who have much to lose if the Bourbons return are fearful of losing their titles and their riches. So it seems to me that they are calculating that if they can find a leader who poses less of a threat to the rest of Europe, then France will be permitted to enjoy the fruits of peace.’

‘And they think that Murat would make a good Emperor?’ Napoleon asked incredulously.

‘Not necessarily, but I am sure Talleyrand is convinced that Murat will be his puppet, and he would be a popular choice with the army. If Murat can be persuaded to make the concessions necessary for France to be at peace with Europe,Talleyrand and Fouché and their friends will continue to live very comfortably.’

‘What if the other European powers will not make peace with Murat?’

‘Then Talleyrand will align himself with the Bourbons and hope to be rewarded when Murat is defeated.’

‘What makes you so sure our enemies can beat Murat?’

Lucien shrugged.‘Murat is a fine leader, but he is not you, Napoleon. There is only one man in France who can wield her armies with the genius that has defeated all our enemies these past years.’

Napoleon narrowed his eyes and stared at his brother, searching for signs of flattery, but Lucien seemed sincere enough.

‘The current danger,’ Lucien continued, ‘lies in the confluence of Talleyrand and Fouché. They parade their unity before the public, almost as if they are inviting others to do the same.Talleyrand has found himself a powerful ally in Fouché. Fouché’s agents are everywhere, and Paris is filled with his police. If called on, they might possibly overwhelm the soldiers you have presently guarding the Tuileries. I’d advise you to increase the size of your bodyguard at once. And make sure that those admitted to your presence are searched for weapons.’

‘Assassination?’ Napoleon shook his head.‘It is not Talleyrand’s style.’

‘I agree,Talleyrand would not dirty his hands with such business. But Fouché might.’

Napoleon considered this for a moment, and nodded.‘He’s certainly ruthless enough. Very well, I will take the necessary precautions. Meanwhile, I need to move quickly to ensure that Talleyrand and Fouché are put in their places. It will probably be best to concentrate my wrath on Talleyrand. Fouché lacks his charm and could not proceed far on his own.Yes, it has to be Talleyrand.’

‘When will you do it?’

‘As soon as possible,’ Napoleon decided. ‘I want you to arrange a meeting of my senior ministers here at the Tuileries this coming Sunday. Then we shall prick the bubble of this conspiracy.’

‘That is good,’ Lucien agreed. ‘Meanwhile, promise me that you will take due care for your safety.’

‘Of course.’ Napoleon flashed a smile at his younger brother and clapped him on the shoulder. ‘I promise I will stay out of danger. After all, I must see my wife. So I shall go to Fontainebleau. That will keep me away from Fouché’s police. I shall be safe enough there.’ Napoleon paused for a moment. ‘But I may as well be cautious. I will have a battalion of the Old Guard sent to protect me.’

‘Thank you,’ Lucien said quietly. ‘I know you believe you are a child of destiny, but even destiny blinks from time to time.’

Napoleon laughed. ‘I have survived shot and shell all these years, Lucien. I think I can survive the petty conspiracies of such men as Fouché and that milksop Talleyrand.’

‘I hope so, brother. But don’t ever underestimate the dangers of politics. It is as deadly as the battlefield, where at least you can see your enemies. Take care. I shall see you on Sunday, then.’

Napoleon clasped Lucien’s hands and kissed his brother on both cheeks. ‘Until Sunday.’

Josephine was entertaining her friends when Napoleon and his escort arrived at their château at Fontainebleau. She heard the commotion outside as the carriage and scores of horses crunched up the gravel drive and went to see who had arrived. Her eyes lit up as she saw Napoleon alight from the carriage and she hurried down the steps to embrace him. Napoleon closed his eyes and breathed in her scent, feeling the familiar increase in the beating of his heart as he held her close. They stood like that for a moment before she drew back and looked at him.

‘So few letters from Spain, and so brief.’

‘Believe me, my love, there was barely a chance to stop and even consider writing to you.’

There was a pained look in her eyes. ‘I thought of you every day, many times. Praying that you were safe and would come back to me soon.’

‘And here I am.’ Napoleon forced a smile. ‘Now let us go inside.’

‘I have guests. A small gathering of friends.’

‘Guests?’ Napoleon stared past her at the entrance to the house for a moment, mindful of his brother’s warning about his safety. ‘Then send them away. I am tired.’

‘I can’t send them away just like that,’ Josephine protested. ‘It would be extremely ill-mannered.What kind of host would I be if I treated my guests so?’

‘Nevertheless, send them away,’ Napoleon replied firmly; then, as he saw her hurt expression, he softened his voice.‘My love, I have not seen you for some months. I would like to be alone with you this first night of my return, at least.’ He pulled her close to him and kissed her on the lips, letting his arm slide down the back of her dress to the curve of her buttocks as he did so. For a moment Josephine was unresponsive, then she pressed her mouth against his and Napoleon felt the flicker of her tongue.At length she drew back and stared intensely into his eyes.‘I will send them away.’

Later, when it was pitch black outside, they lay in each other’s arms in front of the fireplace in Napoleon’s study. The flames had shrunk to a warm wavering glow and cast a dull orange light around the room. Josephine lay against a couch, her legs flat on the thick carpet. Napoleon lay beside her, head resting on her breast as the fingers of one hand idly stroked through her pubic hair. It surprised him that even now, after so many years of marriage, and so many other lovers on both sides, their lovemaking had been as passionate and pleasurable as it had ever been. Yet it wounded him that there was still no issue from their intercourse. There was no shred of doubt now that Josephine would never provide him with an heir.

‘Tell me about Spain,’ she said softly as she stroked his dark hair, noticing that it had started to thin around the temples.

‘A hard country,’ Napoleon replied. ‘The people are poor and superstitious.You would find it hard to believe that a country on the very borders of France could be so mired in the past. I have done my best to set them on course towards a more enlightened future, but I fear it will take some time before they accept the benefits I hold out to them.’

‘But they will in the end, I trust.’

‘They will. As long as Joseph and my generals stand firm.’