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.’

Chapter 64

The cardinal from Rome began his delivery in Latin and the words, read in a monotone, echoed round the interior of Notre-Dame. Most of the guests had little understanding of the language and looked on with feigned expressions of interest and respect as the Holy Father’s message was delivered. The consuls were sitting to one side of the pulpit, while the rest of the audience sat in neat ranks facing the cardinal, dressed in their finery. Napoleon had already been shown a translation and was reassured that there were no unpleasant surprises in the Pope’s greeting to the Catholics of France and his expression of great happiness over the reconciliation of the French people and the Church. In truth, Napoleon thought it a rather dull document with little of the fiery passion of the great speeches of the leaders of the revolution. Still, if it gave the peasants what they wanted and helped to draw the people of France closer together, the Concordat would prove to be very useful. For a moment he marvelled at the power that religion wielded over the minds of men when science and philosophy offered so much more insight into the workings of the world and the people who populated it. Religion was little more than the codification of sundry superstitions and prejudices, he decided. It was not amenable to reason, much like the spirit that animated those who persisted in their loyalty to the Bourbon monarchy. In due course, compulsory education of the masses would put paid to religion - Napoleon already had the outline of a national system of schools sketched out in his mind. For now, religion served his purpose and he would embrace it until such time as it could be consigned to the midden heap of history.

The cardinal droned on, and Napoleon’s gaze wandered round the interior of the cathedral, over the ranks of the military officers and politicians in the front rows of the seats facing the pulpit. He was well aware of the anger and resentment this treaty with the Pope had engendered in their ranks. It had been a closely calculated risk to appeal over their heads to the people of France, but it was more important to divide the royalists from the church than worry about the ideological concerns of the intellectuals and radicals of Paris society. Besides, he would need all the popular support he could muster in the months to come.