Not another war, surely?’
Napoleon shook his head. ‘There’s no need. Madrid is riven by dissent. The members of the royal household spend their lives plotting against each other while the people look on in despair. So it will be simple enough to engineer a crisis.The King will ask me to intervene.
I imagine Ferdinand will make a similar request as well. Then my soldiers who are already in Spain can seize control of the towns along the frontier and I will adjudicate the grievances between Charles and his heir.’
‘While disposing of Godoy, naturally.’
‘Yes.’
‘What then?’ Josephine asked as she moved her hand and began to softly stroke the back of his neck.
‘If Godoy goes, then so must Charles. I will make Ferdinand King, and ensure that he knows who his master is.’
‘And if Ferdinand does not like being your puppet?’
‘Then he must go as well.’
‘Then who will rule Spain?’
Napoleon smiled. ‘That is a matter for contemplation at a later date, my dear.’ He took her other hand and raised it to his lips and kissed her fingers softly, one by one.They kissed again, and Napoleon’s hand glided down her neck and across her cleavage before slipping inside her nightdress and caressing her breast. He felt her shudder as her nipple swiftly hardened. Napoleon withdrew his hand.
‘We will be more comfortable by the fire.’
Josephine glanced round at the rug lying on the floorboards before the hearth. ‘Can’t we go up to bed, my love?’
‘Why? It is warm enough in here, and the fire will give us light.’
Josephine sighed.‘I am tired. I want to be in a nice comfortable bed. Besides, I am getting too old to make love on a hard floor. Come, husband.To bed.’
She rose from his lap and took his hand, pulling him gently after her, but Napoleon did not move and after a moment she released her grip and looked anxiously at him. ‘What is it?’
‘I want to make love to you. In here. Now.’
‘Wouldn’t the bed be more comfortable? It’s a cold night.’
‘It’s warm enough in here,’ he responded flatly.
‘I know. But I would still prefer to go to bed, my love.’
They stared at each other for a moment, and as they did so Napoleon felt the passion for her die in him. The feeling had passed, and he felt a wave of weariness wash through him. ‘You go on first. I’ll join you. There’s something I need to finish first.’
‘You don’t love me any more . . .’ she whispered.
‘What?’
‘I said that you don’t love me.’
‘Don’t be a fool.’
‘I’m no fool, Napoleon. I have known you for twelve years. Well enough to know what you are thinking.’ Her voice caught and she had to bite her lip to stop it trembling. ‘You don’t love me. Why? Is it because of that young Polish whore?’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘Marie Walewska. Did you think I wouldn’t find out?’
Napoleon took a deep breath to calm his racing heart. ‘I had hoped you would not find out, but since you have I won’t deny it.Why should I? After all the lovers that you have entertained in the years of our marriage? I am entitled to whatever solace I can find when I am away on campaign.’
‘As long as it does not harm your feelings for me.’
‘I still love you,’ Napoleon said firmly.
‘But you are not in love with me. Not in the same way. Not any more. Isn’t that what you mean?’ Josephine smiled sadly and the tone of her voice cut into his heart like a knife. He could not reply, and she moved a step away from him, towards the door.
‘I knew this would happen, my love,’ she continued.‘One day.When I had grown old enough for my looks to fade. I suppose she is far younger, fresher. The kind of girl who would make love in front of a fire on a cold winter’s night. Am I right, husband?’
His silence was answer enough and she laughed mirthlessly.‘I knew it.’
Napoleon swallowed nervously. ‘I am a man, Josephine, with a man’s appetites. If you cannot satisfy them, then I must look elsewhere. Besides—’
He shut his mouth abruptly and looked away.
‘Besides?’ She narrowed her eyes and continued sharply. ‘Besides what?’
When he did not reply, she raised her voice, fists clenched by her sides. ‘Besides what? Speak up.’
‘Very well, then.’ Napoleon raised his chin. ‘Since you insist.You are right. Marie excites me more than you do. Besides which, you have never given me any children. At least Marie could. She was carrying my child before it was
