‘I understand that well enough.’ Talleyrand nodded. ‘But I assure you, France relishes the current peace, and is merely settling outstanding affairs in order that she can enjoy the benefits of the growing harmony between the interests of our nations.’

‘What harmony?’ Whitworth shook his head. ‘Whatever harmony remains is withering, not growing.’

‘Then it is urgent that we do all we can, as swiftly as possible, to repair the situation. So tell us, what would His Majesty’s government ask of France in order to ease the tension between us?’

Napoleon watched Whitworth carefully as the Englishman collected his thoughts and responded. ‘Open the ports of Europe to our ships and our merchants. Settle your revolt in San Domingo and bring your army home. And return those lands you have annexed to their former owners.’

‘He asks for the moon!’ Napoleon protested to Talleyrand, then rounded on the ambassador. ‘And if we gave in to those demands, would you return the favour? Would you abandon Malta? Would you stop sheltering the émigrés who spill their bile into the foul pamphlets that appear on our streets? Oh, don’t think I don’t know who is funding their lies.The same source of money that buys arms for the Vendée rebels, and no doubt provided the means for those bastards who tried to assassinate me. You shelter them in the Channel Islands, and it’s your ships that land them on our shores to spread their mischief. Is England prepared to accept that France is no longer the land of the Bourbons? Is England prepared to recognise that France is at last a free nation?’

‘A free nation?’ Whitworth smiled mockingly. ‘A free nation, under Bonaparte. What exactly is the difference between an absolute monarch and a First Consul for life?’

‘The difference is that I was elected by the people.’ Napoleon raised his chin. ‘I embody their will.’

‘Really? And who is to say that His Majesty does not embody the will of our people?’

‘Then why don’t you ask them?’ Napoleon smiled coldly. ‘Why don’t you ask your people? Unless you are afraid of what they might say.’

Whitworth stared at him in silence for a moment before replying. ‘The common people are not in possession of the knowledge or the will to act in their own interest. Until they are, their social superiors will determine their best interests, and those of England as a whole.’

Napoleon shook his head. These aristos were all alike, from one side of Europe to the other. Arrogant, greedy and desperate to hang on to the power handed to them by their ancestors.They would fight to the last breath rather than permit a man like Napoleon, with all his natural advantages of intellect and ambition, to remake their archaic nations into more efficient and fair societies.