THE GENERALS

by Simon Scarrow

  ‘So you can be in the arms of your lover, you traitor!’

  ‘What lover?’

  ‘The one you were with when I reached Paris. When you should have been here.’

  A wave of relief swept through Josephine. She took a breath to calm her nerves, and lowered her voice.‘I wasn’t in Paris. I was on the road looking for you. My coachman took a wrong turning and we must have missed you.’ It sounded false even as she said it, but it was true, and she could prove it easily enough.

  ‘Liar!’

  ‘It’s true!’ she called back. ‘I swear it on the lives of my children. As soon as I heard you had landed in France I set off to meet you. I could not wait to be back in your arms again. And if that damned coachman had known his business that’s where I would have been three days ago. Oh, Napoleon, my love, open the door. I beg you!’

  ‘No. Now go. Please.’

  Please? She smiled to herself at the first sign of his weakening.

  ‘I cannot go. I love you. I would die if I could not be at your side.’

  ‘Then you can die for all I care.’

  She felt anger rising inside at his words, but forced herself to maintain her pleading tone. ‘Very well, my love. I will go. But only if you let me see your face one last time. I will not say goodbye to a door, Napoleon. Open it and make your farewell face to face.’

  There was a short pause, before he said suspiciously, ‘Why?’

  ‘We are adults, my love, so please let’s behave with the dignity of adults.’ She made her tone as gentle and reasonable as possible. ‘Now, open this door.’

  There was silence, then the soft padding of bare feet. Her heart beat fast against her breast as a key turned in the door and a moment later the handle twisted and the door opened slowly.

  Next morning Lucien arrived on the doorstep of his brother’s house and rapped the knocker. A moment later the door was opened by the preposterously dressed servant Napoleon had brought back with him from Egypt.

  ‘Has my brother risen?’

  ‘No, sir.’ Roustam stood aside to let Lucien pass, and Lucien could not help smiling as he saw that the hall was empty of all the baggage that had been there when he had called the day before. ‘Ah - she’s gone then.’

  ‘Sir, I—’

  ‘Just get some coffee brewing and take it to the study. My brother and I will be in conference this morning.’

  ‘But, sir . . .’

  ‘Just prepare the coffee!’ Lucien repeated. He climbed the stairs two at a time. He felt elated by the departure of Josephine. Now his brother would be able to concentrate his full energies on other, far more important, matters. Reaching the door at the end of the landing, he did not knock, but turned the handle and entered the room.

  ‘Napoleon, it’s late.You were supposed to be at my house an hour ago. As it is I’ve come to you and—’

  He stopped abruptly and stared towards the bed. Napoleon was propped up on a pillow, his pasty white chest naked and his dark hair as rumpled and untidy as the tangled bedclothes that covered his lower body. Resting her head on his shoulder was Josephine. Lucien took a deep breath and clenched his teeth to hold back his surprise and anger. He took a step back towards the door.

  ‘I apologise, madam. I had no idea you were here.’

  ‘Evidently,’ she smiled. She leaned further into Napoelon and nuzzled up to his breast, kissing his flesh.

  Lucien flushed with irritation and embarrassment. ‘I, er, need to speak with my brother. At once.’ He fixed his eyes on Napoleon. ‘It’s very important. I’ll wait for you down in the study. Don’t take too long.’

  He turned and left them, shutting the door behind him. As the sound of his footsteps retreated along the landing Josephine smiled to herself.

  ‘Now that you’re here,’ Lucien said testily, ‘we can finally begin.’

  Napoleon did not reply, but smiled and helped himself to a cup of coffee and sat down. He took a careful sip and grimaced as he realised it was cold. He set the cup down and looked at his younger brother. ‘Well?’

  ‘You have picked a good time to return. A very good time indeed, brother.’

  ‘Good?’ Napoleon’s brow rose in surprise. ‘France is at war with England, Austria, Naples, Portugal and Turkey. The only enemy who is willing to discuss peace is Russia, and then only because Tsar Paul hates the English even more than he hates us. Our army is still recovering fom the defeat at Novi. Most of the departments of France are on the verge of rebellion, our troops haven’t been paid for months and the treasury is almost empty, and the Jacobins are pushing for a new Committee of Public Safety.What have the Directory done with the country that I left so powerful when I sailed to Egypt? The situation could hardly be worse.’

  ‘And therefore the opportunities for change could hardly be better.’ Lucien smiled. ‘Especially as those who govern us at present are so hopelessly divided. Talleyrand is in disgrace since he tried to get a bribe out of a treaty with the Americans. General Bernadotte is hardly making a secret of his schemes to seize power. Barras, so my informants tell me, is even plotting a coup to return the Bourbons to power. And now you arrive in Paris, on the crest of a wave of popularity thanks to your victory at Aboukir. That’s about the only news the people have had to celebrate for months. They are desperate for change.’

  Napoleon eyed him shrewdly. ‘And you are keen to give it to them, no doubt.’

  ‘Me, and others like me,’ Lucien admitted. ‘I’ve managed to stay clear of political scandals, and I command the support of a large number of the deputies, but I lack the affection of the people. If something is going to happen, if my comrades and I are to change the government, then we’ll need a figurehead to lead the movement. It has to be someone untainted by the politics of the capital. Someone who is popular with the mob, and who can command the respect and loyalty of the army.’

  ‘Someone like me, I imagine.’ Napoleon smiled.

  Lucien’s expression remained serious. ‘It has to be you. Any other choice would be too divisive. You’d only have to be the public face of the new government. Once things have settled down, you could return to the army and retire from public life.’

  ‘I might not want to,’ Napoleon said carefully.

  ‘It’s possible that your . . . retirement from public life, might not be in the best interests of France. But I wouldn’t express such a view in front of those whose help we will need in the days to come.’

  ‘I understand.’ Napoleon eased himself back in his chair.‘Who else is in on your plans?’

  ‘Two of the Directors, Sieyès and Ducos. We’ve sounded out Talleyrand, Joseph Fouché and some of the other ministers. They’re all for a change in government and want a new, more powerful executive in its place. The thing is, many of them are afraid of using a soldier as the putative leader of the coup.’

  ‘Very wise of them. And at the same time they’re being foolish. They want a centralised government with the authority to act swiftly and decisively, and at the same time they’re afraid of the consequences of such a move.’ Napoleon shook his head with contempt. ‘They can’t have it both ways.’

  ‘They know that,’ said Lucien. ‘That’s what has been paralysing them for months. The trouble is with Bernadotte and Barras circling like wolves their hand is finally being forced.You weren’t their first choice. Sieyès wanted Joubert, but he was killed at the battle of Novi and you’re our last chance. Sieyès isn’t keen on you. He is worried about your “incendiary temperament” as he put it, and your ambition.’

  ‘Then he’s no fool.’

  ‘We must handle him carefully, brother.’

  Napoleon nodded. ‘When do we make our move?’

  ‘I’ve thought about that. Not until after your official reception by the Directors. We have to see how they react to your popularity.They might question your reasons for abandoning the army in Egypt. They may try to fling some shit at you and hope enough sticks to taint your public image.’

  ‘A comp
elling vision, Lucien, but hardly poetic.’

  Lucien slapped his hand down on his thigh in irritation. ‘This isn’t a game, Napoleon! We are playing for the highest possible stakes. We foul this up and it might cost us our lives.’

  ‘You know, if we succeed, it might also mean the fall of the revolution.’

  ‘Perhaps, but anything is better than a return to the monarchy. Almost anything.’

  Two days later, Napoleon presented himself, in full uniform, before the Directors in the audience chamber of the Luxembourg Palace. There were far fewer officials there to witness the meeting than there had been on his last such appearance.The president of the Directory, Louis Gohier, greeted Napoleon cordially and offered him the congratulations and gratitude of the Directors, on behalf of the people of France. Then he glanced at Barras, and Napoleon noted that Barras gave a slight nod before Gohier turned back and continued.

  ‘The Directory, like all France, greets your unanticipated return with pleasure mingled with a little surprise. Only your enemies, whom we naturally regard as our own, could put an unfavourable interpretation on the patriotic motives which induced you to abandon your army.’

  Napoleon felt his blood surge with anger but managed to keep his tone calm and respectful as he replied. ‘Citizen, the news that reached us in Egypt was so alarming that I didn’t hesitate to leave my army, but set out at once to come and share your perils.’ Napoleon grasped the hilt of his sword. ‘I swear that this sword will never be drawn except in defence of the republic, and its government.’

  Barras leaned forward and smiled. ‘We are comforted to hear that, General. And we will endeavour to find a new command suited to a man of your talents and ambitions just as soon as we can, so that you might be spared the interminable politics that bedevil Paris.’

  The words were spoken with such deliberate emphasis that Napoleon suddenly felt that his façade of loyalty was as transparent as the finest blown glass and that his ambition was on view for all to see. The ceremony ended and he approached the Directors and embraced each one of them in turn, in a frosty gesture of fraternity. As he left the palace the sentries at the gate presented arms and chorused, ‘Long live Bonaparte!’The cry was echoed by the dense crowd of civilians who pressed around his coach as it passed through the gates and on to the street. Napoleon smiled and waved to his public and wondered how many of them would still be so enthusiastic in their support for him in a month’s time.

  ‘It has to be soon,’ Napoleon said firmly as he looked round at the men in his study. ‘The Directors dare not discipline me now, for fear of the public reaction. But the moment my popular support fades they will move against me, and I will have no chance of leading the coup.’

  Sieyès stirred uneasily.‘This isn’t about your salvation, General Bonaparte. It is about the salvation of France.’

  ‘Of course it is,’ Napoleon agreed readily. ‘I understand that, citizen, as I understand that I am merely the instrument through which our cause will achieve its aim. No man shall rise above his peers.’

  ‘Quite,’ Lucien intervened. ‘And that point must not be forgotten, whatever else happens. But my brother is right.We cannot wait any longer. Bernadotte is building his support amongst the Jacobins in the Council of the Five Hundred. Unless we move first he will be ready to act within a matter of weeks. Of course, the Directors will oppose him, but if he has the Council, and the mob, then they are finished, and we will have lost our chance. That being the situation, I say we make our move early in November. I have already won over General Moreau to our cause and most of the other generals in Paris will follow my brother.’

  ‘Until we have a new constitution,’ Sieyès reminded him firmly. ‘Then the general will step aside and return power to a civil authority.’

  ‘Of course.’ Napoleon nodded.

  Sieyès gave him a searching look for a moment and then turned his attention back to Lucien. ‘When do we do it?’

  ‘November the ninth. My brother will be breakfasting with the officers of the Paris garrison before he goes on to inspect some new regiments. That will keep him at a distance while we neutralise the Directory.’

  ‘How can we achieve that?’ Ducos spoke for the first time, and Napoleon had to hide his instinctive dislike of the man.Thin and wheedling, Ducos embodied the worst of the politicians who had undermined the revolution. ‘We need three of the five Directors to authorise any votes put in front of the deputies and the senators. Sieyès and I can’t do it by ourselves.’

  ‘You won’t need to.’ Lucien smiled. ‘On the day, you two will go to Barras.You will offer him a deal. Bribe him if necessary. He is to resign his office for a suitable fee, or be placed under arrest along with Gohier and Moulin. Either way you two will be able to initiate the votes we will need to push our reforms through. November the ninth,’ Lucien repeated. ‘Are we agreed?’

  There was a brief silence as the plotters considered the plans. One by one they nodded their assent, and Lucien stood up.‘Then there is no more to be said. On the tenth, if all goes to plan, France will wake to find itself with a new government.’

  ‘If all goes to plan?’ Sieyès shook his head ruefully.‘When does anything ever go to plan?’

  ‘Well, pray that it does.’ Napoleon forced himself to smile. ‘Otherwise that day may well be our last.’

  Chapter 51

  ‘Barras cost us more than we anticipated,’ Lucien explained. ‘He wouldn’t go for less than two million francs.’

  ‘Two million!’ Napoleon whistled appreciatively. ‘I had no idea that a man’s principles were worth so much.’

  ‘Neither did he, I suspect.’

  ‘What about the others?’ Napoleon asked anxiously.

  ‘Moreau has placed Gohier and Moulin under house arrest. Lannes and Marmont have troops in place covering the entrances to the Tuileries. Moreau has the Luxembourg Palace surrounded and we have troops at Versailles and Murat’s cavalry detachment at St-Cloud. The Jacobin club has been closed and Bernadotte and the ringleaders of his group are being held on the premises.There have been no reports of any resistance so far. So, all is going well, and it’s time for your appearance before the senators.’

  Napoleon looked at his brother.‘Are you certain that they will support us?’

  ‘Of course! We’ll have a clear majority, but there will be a few opponents. As for the rest, they won’t know which way to jump and won’t cause us any problems. Are you ready to go?’

  ‘As ready as I ever will be.’

  ‘Good. Come then, brother, it’s time to change the world.’

  They left Napoleon’s study and made for the front door as Josephine emerged from the sitting room opposite. Napoleon had not told her about the plot, but the frequent comings and goings of politicians and generals at all hours of the day and night had made it quite clear that something was being hatched and Josephine stared at him with an anxious expression.

  ‘Whatever happens today, my love, I pray you have good fortune.’

  Napoleon went to her, drew her into his arms and kissed her on the lips. ‘I’ll send word to you as soon as there is an outcome.’

  ‘Napoleon!’ His brother beckoned to him. ‘We have to go, now.’

  Napoleon kissed her once more and broke away from her, hurrying out of the house without a backward glance. Josephine followed him as far as the door and watched as he climbed into Lucien’s carriage. With a crack of the driver’s whip, it lurched forward and rattled down the street, in the direction of the Tuileries.

  The soldiers outside the National Assembly cheered as soon as they saw Napoleon descend from the carriage. He wore his finest uniform and his new bicorn hat with a large revolutionary cockade attached. A broad red sash was tied round his waist and a jewelled sword hilt glittered in the clear autumn sunlight. The two brothers entered the building and made for the chamber where the senators sat in tense expectation. As Napoleon entered the room the senators rose to their feet and applauded, many only half-hearte
dly, he noted. The president of the chamber indicated the speaker’s lectern and Lucien stepped up, and opened with the text he had agreed with Napoleon the previous night.

  ‘Senators! The Directors have met and agreed the following motion which is to be put before the house. That the existing constitution be suspended and that, while a new constitution is drawn up, three Provisional Consuls, General Bonaparte and Citizens Sieyès and Ducos, will be charged with the government of the republic. Furthermore, that both legislative assemblies are temporarily relocated to St-Cloud where they will be safe from any attempt by the Jacobin-inspired mob to intervene in the processes of government. There is no need for any debate of this matter and voting will proceed at once.’ He turned and bowed to the president of the chamber and did not move from the lectern as the vote was called. A clear majority of the assembly showed their support and after due prompting a number of waverers raised their hands.