‘Not the same kind of reputation and you know it. So don’t act the fool.’ Letizia tapped his knee with her fan. ‘She was the lover of Paul Barras before you.’

‘I know. She told me. That was before we met.’

There was an awkward silence before Letizia smiled.‘I’m only thinking of you, my son. It would break my heart if that woman shamed you. If she humiliated you in public.’

‘I see.’ Napoleon smiled bitterly. ‘This is about the family’s honour, isn’t it? That stiff Corsican morality you take such pride in.’>

‘Yes.’

‘But we aren’t in Corsica any more, Mother.’

‘Maybe, but that does not make us any less Corsican.’ She tapped him on the breast. ‘In your heart you know this. Anyway, anyone listening to you speak could hardly fail to be aware of your origins.’>

‘This is beside the point. She is my wife and you will respect her as such. It is my will.’

‘It may be your will,’ Letizia nodded discreetly towards the card players, ‘but do you really know her will? Does she really love you?’

‘She says so.’

‘Of course she would. But look at it from her point of view, Napoleon. She’s some years older than you. Her looks are beginning to fade. She knew that it was only a matter of time before she no longer graced any Paris salon. Then you came along. Young, inexperienced, famous and, more important, unattached.You were her last chance of a good match.’

Napoleon glared at his mother. ‘Enough.You go too far.’

He stood up abruptly, shook his head, and strode out of the room.

The Austrians appointed their most able general to command the forces opposing the Army of Italy. Archduke Charles had enjoyed some notable successes against the Army of the Rhine and now sought to bolster his reputation by humbling the young French general who had caused so much grief to Austrian interests in Italy. Napoleon gave him no time to prepare for the attack. As soon as the passes across the Alps were free of snow he led his men through the mountain ranges and fell upon the enemy in the broad valley through which the River Drave flowed. Nothing could check the Army of Italy in its advance, and it was only with the capture of the city of Klagenfurt that Napoleon halted.