‘I see.’Talleyrand shrugged.‘So it is not a lasting peace we shall be seeking, then?’
‘There can be no lasting peace with England. Either France prevails or England does. The world is too small for us to share.’
‘What are your instructions, First Consul?’
‘Send an envoy to Prime Minister Addington.Tell him France wants peace. I imagine that the English will be in no mood to turn down such an offer. They have been at war as long as we have.’
Napoleon had gauged the English mind well. The new Prime Minister agreed to begin talks, and as summer wore on the tentative negotiations gradually resolved into the drafting of a preliminary agreement. Napoleon was eager to sign the document, but the English managed to find one excuse after another to delay. By the end of the summer Napoleon had had enough. Just as he had done with Austria, he issued an ultimatum. The agreement was to be signed by October, or France would break off negotiations and renew the war. The English gave in. The document was signed and hostilities ended. In the weeks that followed, the representatives of France and England met at Amiens to settle the final details of the peace treaty.
Finally, at the end of March 1802, when the First Consul and his wife had retired to the château at St-Cloud for a brief rest from his duties, Talleyrand arrived one evening. He was shown into the orangery where Napoleon and Josephine were having tea and cakes beside a small stove.Talleyrand bowed graciously to Josephine before he gave his news to Napoleon.
‘The treaty has been signed.’ He smiled warmly. ‘The English put their seal on it a few days ago.’
‘No last-minute alterations to the terms?’ Napoleon asked in an equally good humour.
‘We have what we asked for. England is to return the colonies they seized from us, as well as those taken from Spain and Holland. The only territories they get to keep will be Trinidad and Ceylon. They’ve also agreed to hand Malta back to the Knights of St John, and Egypt is to be returned to Turkey. In return we are to pull our troops out of Naples and the papal territories.’
Napoleon clapped his hands together and rubbed them happily.‘Wonderful! If only I could see Mr Pitt’s expression now! It could not have been better.’
‘No, the timing is perfect. Next month we’ll have the Concordat with Rome in our hands.There will not be a man in France who won’t be rejoicing.’
‘I can imagine there will be one or two who might not. But this news will bury any arguments about the legitimacy of the new constitution. I have provided order, economic revival and international respect. Who dares to question me now?’
For a moment the foreign minister’s expression registered surprise, then the mask slipped smoothly back into place.‘You are right, of course, Citizen Consul. The nation owes you far more than it can ever repay. But, surely, for the sake of appearances, it is best that the success be seen to be due to the efforts of the consuls, senators, tribunes and deputies collectively?’
‘Why?’ Napoleon responded bluntly. ‘Only a fool would not be able to detect my guiding hand behind all of this. The improvements to France’s fortunes are largely due to my efforts, Talleyrand. I see no harm in letting the people know it.’
‘The harm is that some people - disposed to jealousy and mendacity as they are - will start rumours that it is a sign of your dictatorial ambitions.’
‘Then let them.’ Napoleon dismissed the idea with a curt wave of his hand. ‘The people know that I am no dictator. I do not seek power for myself. I seek only to express the general will of the French people. They understand that.’
Talleyrand’s eyelids flickered. ‘Let us hope so, Citizen Consul. Now, if you will forgive me, I must return to my ministry to ensure that news of the treaty is dispatched to our embassies. I came here because I just wanted to tell you the news in person. Madame Bonaparte.’ He bowed to Josephine again.
Napoleon nodded. ‘My thanks, Talleyrand. For all that you have done.’
‘As you say, citizen, it is we who must thank you, for all that you have achieved.’
He bowed his head, turned, and left the orangery, closing the door gently behind him before he crunched away along the gravel path to the stables.
Josephine stared after him for a moment and then poured herself and her husband another cup of tea. ‘That man sees through you, Napoleon.You must be careful of him.’
‘Careful?’ Napoleon seemed vaguely insulted by the idea. ‘Don’t worry about him. I know exactly what he is. Every inch an aristocrat, but at least he has his country’s interests at heart. I can trust him that far at least.’
Josephine pursed her lips. ‘Perhaps . . .’ She sipped her tea and then continued. ‘This peace. Do you think it will last?’
‘No,’ Napoleon replied bluntly. ‘The English have given up more than they would like, and it has not resolved the issues which caused the war in the first place. In truth this treaty is doomed. But at least there will be a short peace for all Europe to celebrate. That, at least, is a good thing.’
Josephine looked at him steadily. ‘Does that mean that you will have more time to spend with me? It seems, since the attempt on your life, that you have been working harder than ever. It feels as if . . . as if you have been avoiding me for some reason.’
Napoleon stared at her. He saw the hurt look in her eyes and suddenly realised how much he had been taking her for granted. Yet he did not want to assume the mantle of blame. ‘It is not my fault, Josephine. France needs me. I must devote myself to the nation. It is my duty.There is so much to do. So much still to be done.’
She raised a hand to stop him. ‘I know. I know all of that. It’s true. But I am your wife, Napoleon. Is there no obligation to me? What about your duty to me? When Hortense was injured you know whom I had to turn to for comfort? My son. Because my husband was too busy.’
The words were spoken in a cold, harsh tone that wounded him.
Josephine continued.‘You are too busy because you choose to be. There is not one branch of government that you do not oversee and interfere with. I overheard a comment made by one of your officials the other day. As you were dictating a letter, he leaned to one of his companions and muttered “God created Bonaparte, and then He rested.” I wouldn’t be flattered by that, if I were you. I got the distinct impression that he was ridiculing your ambitions.’
‘Who said that?’
‘I will not tell you,’ she replied firmly. There was a tense silence between them for a moment before Josephine continued in a more concerned tone,‘I don’t think it is healthy for one man to work so hard. Not for you and not for France.’
‘Why?’
‘If you shoulder every responsibility that you can, then what happens to France if you are taken from us?You cannot guarantee immunity from sickness, or from a bomb for that matter. The country would be thrown into anarchy if you were lost.’
Napoleon nodded. ‘I had thought of that.’
Josephine leaned forward and took his hand. ‘Then you must find some men to share the burden with you. Men you can trust.’
‘No. Power shared is power weakened. The only guarantee of a stable future for France is for me to remain in control of the government, and the army.’ He stared at his wife, wondering how far he should trust her with his thoughts. Then her barbed comments about his failings as a husband cut into his heart again. He owed her his trust at the very least. Napoleon pressed her hand between his and lowered his voice.‘I’ve already made up my mind. France needs me to remain her master. I must become First Consul for life, and I must have the power to choose a successor. Only that will guarantee a better future for our people.’
Josephine shook her head. ‘You are mad. All this power has turned your head. Do you think for a moment that all those politicians in the assemblies will agree to that?’
‘No, I don’t,’ Napoleon conceded, and then smiled faintly. ‘And that is why I have no intention of asking for their agreement.’