Berthier looked up from his notebook.‘Do you propose an invasion of Spain, sire? If so, we will need to shift the balance of the Grand Army to the Pyrenees as swiftly as possible.That’s no small task.’

Napoleon shook his head.‘That won’t be necessary.There will be no need for an invasion, as such.’ He smiled. ‘What I had in mind was an armed intervention to assist our Spanish allies in restoring order. To which end we must set them at each other’s throats.That is where you come in, Fouché.’

‘Sire?’

‘I want our newspapers to play up the business about Ferdinand’s proposed marriage to my niece. I want the papers to express outrage over the bad faith the Spanish court has shown us. I want them to fix the blame on Godoy. At the same time I want your agents to feed Godoy information that Ferdinand is planning to oust his father.’

‘Very well, sire.’ Fouché bowed his head. ‘I will see to it. And might I suggest a refinement?’

‘Well?’

‘You might instruct our ambassador in Madrid to let Godoy believe that the Prince has asked for our support in his attempt on the crown, and having failed to tempt us has gone to the British to request their backing. With luck that should set the cat amongst the pigeons, sire.’

‘Indeed.’ Napoleon nodded approvingly. ‘It is a good thing you are my creature, Fouché. I would hate to have you as an enemy.’

‘There is no question of my ever being an enemy of your majesty.’

‘Of course not,’ Napoleon responded. ‘Besides, if you ever did contemplate any disloyalty to me I would ensure that you suffered as a consequence.’

Fouché smiled nervously, and Napoleon turned back to Berthier. ‘Once we have undermined the Bourbons in Madrid, our forces already in Spain must be prepared to take control of the largest towns and cities the instant the order is given. I want the main routes across the frontier in our hands as swiftly as possible. My generals are to achieve that with the minimum loss of blood. It is imperative that we are seen as liberators and not invaders. To that end our men must not be permitted to loot any property or supplies. Discipline must be maintained at all costs. Make sure that every soldier who crosses the border into Spain has money in his pockets.’

‘Yes, sire. Of course.’