Waterloo (Napoleonic Horseman Book 6) Read online

  After a few minutes the inn keeper returned. "How is your food, gentlemen?"

  “Good. The stew is tasty but this rosé is a little light for my taste.”

  He nodded, "You are Italian. I know that you all prefer reds. Each to his own."

  We ate in silence for a while. Eating local food and drinking local wine helped us both to get into role. We were speaking Italian but we could lapse into French just as easily. We had had many years of practice. This part of France was so close to Italy that both languages were used with facility by most people. It was why the inn keeper had questioned me so closely. I realised that we could actually speak English if we chose but the spy in me made us keep to Italian.

  “We will travel tomorrow to Golfe Juan and keep an eye open for the three ships.”

  “Do you think you might be wrong about it being… you know who?”

  “Unless the Polish Lancers have deserted him then I think not. Besides Jack was adamant that they were trying to deceive other ships with the disguise.” I shrugged, “One last adventure eh Alan?”

  He pushed his empty plate away. “Oh I am happy for an adventure after all we have had many months of a normal life. It is good to have one last fling.”

  I need not have worried, Alan was as happy as I was to be back in the saddle again. "I fear we are getting a little old for this but I cannot leave this business unfinished. My life and that of Bonaparte have been bound together since Italy. When it is finished then I shall hang up my sword." Sharp gave me a sceptical look. He would follow me come what may. He was as loyal as a brother.

  We rose before dawn. It was not a long ride to Golfe Juan; the inn keeper thought it would take little more than an hour to ride along the coast road. A small coin to the groom meant we had a prompt departure. We waited at the gates of Antibes for them to be opened.

  It was a punctilious young officer who stood there pointedly looking at the clock on the church while an ‘old moustache’ shook his head. There was no reason why he could not open the gates but it was a display of power. I doubted if the young officer had even fought in a single battle while the old soldier reminded me of the men I had served alongside in my first regiment. He looked to be even older than I was. As the gate was finally opened I flipped a silver coin to the old soldier. “Have a drink on me, sergeant.”

  He saluted, “Thank you, sir!” His ramrod straight back showed his pride in his uniform. He looked at me, "Did you serve, sir?"

  "The Chasseurs."

  He laughed, "A donkey walloper!"

  I laughed, "And you?" I saw that the officer did not enjoy this interchange from which he was excluded.

  "The 18th Grenadiers. A fine set of lads. They were good days."

  "Aye well when you have that drink toast your old comrades for me and all those who lie on the battlefields of Europe."

  "Amen to that. I will do that sir. You have a safe journey."

  I wondered if he would flock to the eagles when Bonaparte returned. I hoped not. There had been too much waste already. I would like to think he could spend his days remembering the good old days and reminiscing with old comrades.

  The fort across from the walled town had been hidden when we had arrived. I had seen it from the sea but now, as we headed west I saw it rising, menacingly, to the east. Napoleon would not risk his ships being fired upon. It covered both the town and the main road as well as the sea. It confirmed my view that he would not land at Antibes. He would head further west. We would wait at Golfe Juan for a day or two and if he did not land then head further west. St. Tropez looked to be small enough for him to use and it had a harbour but it was a longer journey north. It had to be Golfe Juan.

  We passed Juan le Pins not long after we rode over the small hill to the west of Antibes. Juan le Pins was a tiny fishing village with a dozen small fishing boats drawn up on the beach. There was, as my informant had told me, little chance of him landing there. We rode along a track rather than a road towards the small port of Golfe Juan. We saw it looming ahead as we approached. It was much bigger than Juan le Pins but there was no wall to protect it and I could not see a military presence. It would be a good place to land.

  I saw, beyond it, in the bay, the shape of the Ils de Marguerite. There was a fort there too but it was too far away to prevent someone arriving at Golfe Juan. The closer I came to the small port the more I was convinced that Bonaparte would be arriving here.

  I saw three old soldiers having their breakfast of bread and wine at the bar I had been told about. I assumed them to be the customs officials. While our horses drank from the trough I looked out to sea. It was devoid of either sails or ships. We had landed late on the previous day and I knew we would have beaten the slower transports to the coast. However if they were coming to Golfe Juan then they would reach us some time that day, February twenty eighth. The King had reverted to the old calendar which made it easier for me to work out the dates. We would wait and watch. We would drink and listen.

  “Alan, you had better get us some food for our journey. I intend to ride as fast as possible once we leave here. I shall go to the bar and order a drink.” I nodded to the old soldiers and he smiled. He knew the game I would play.

  “Then I had better buy two more horses, sir. These are good mounts but they will need resting.” He grinned, “Besides they are still cheap here. Wait until he arrives and the prices will go through the roof.” He rode off towards the interior of the town. He was good at haggling. He spoke French with an accent which would explain the need for horses. I could not do it; my French was too good. I was French!

  I sat at the bar and ordered a large pichet of wine which I shared with the old soldiers. “Do you get many ships through here?” Like the innkeeper they had a suspicious look at my question. I went into my familiar story. “I am a ship owner looking for new ports. Now that the war is over there are many business opportunities in France. I never had the opportunity to visit this part of France before.”

  They nodded and relaxed. It was a reasonable excuse for questions. “We get two or three small ships a week. Not many for such a fine port. However I am sure that the peace will bring more prosperity. At least I hope so.”

  The one who had the faded sergeant’s stripes added, with a sly grin, “Should you wish your goods to speed through the port with the minimum of fuss then I am the man to see, Sergeant Jacques Leblanc.”

  “Excellent.” I waved over the waiter, “Another pichet of wine for my new friends.” He waited and I put a silver coin on the table. It was enough to keep them there all day.

  My chat to the three soldiers proved useful. I discovered that King Louis had done nothing to ingratiate himself with his people. It seemed that only the Vendee had welcomed him. There were many unhappy soldiers who felt they had been let down by their king. In addition there were many others who were not as lucky as these three. They had returned to a France without the prospect of employment. These were soldiers who had spent the last twenty years or more fighting for France. Their only skill was in fighting and marching. Those skills were not valued during peace. There was a great deal of discontent.

  It took Alan longer than I had expected to buy the spare horses and the food. He joined me and the old soldiers for wine and a baguette. “Why do you need so many horses, sir?” The older of the soldiers was suspicious.

  “We have far to travel.” I waved west, “I intend to visit San Raphael, Toulon and Marseille too.”

  “If you have a ship then that would be easier.” He was persistent. However this was all useful for it prepared us for questions to come.

  “True but I need to see what the land is like between the ports. There is little point in shipping goods if there is no one to buy them.”

  They nodded sagely at that. Two of them stood when a small lugger approached from the west. Jacques said, “They are supposed to be fishermen but they may be smuggling. We need to stamp that sort of thing out.” He sounded a little hypocritical to me. He waved his two men t
owards the harbour while he finished off his wine. Suddenly he stood and peered south. “That is strange.”

  I looked and saw more sails approaching from the south east. These were bigger than the lugger which was now almost in the harbour. I knew who they were before they became visible. It was Bonaparte.

  I stood and left a tip for the waiter. “Well, if you are becoming busy then we will leave you. Thank you for your help, sergeant and I will call again when we have made our decision.”

  He waved distractedly at me and wandered to the harbour wall, constantly watching the three ships as they approached. We were ignored. “Alan, get the horses ready.” I pointed to the road which led north. “We will watch from the shelter of that house and confirm that it is Bonaparte and then we shall leave by that road; for it is the road north.”

  By the time the horses were tied together and we had mounted, the small brig, we could see her name, ‘Inconstant’, was almost at the harbour entrance. I recognised the green uniform and the distinctive hat. I stared into the face of Napoleon Bonaparte. For the briefest of moments our eyes met and I saw a frown crease his face. He was working out if he knew me and then the three old soldiers cheered; it was a cheer taken up by the men on the ship and the others who had come to see what the three ships contained. The cheer was repeated on the other ships which I saw were lined with the Old Guard. The whole harbour was filled with the joyful sound of the Emperor returning. He was welcomed

  Far from being in danger the Emperor was embraced. This was a triumphant return for the Emperor. People thronged around him when he stepped on to the jetty. They were all pleased to see him returned.

  I jerked my horse’s head around and headed north. I needed to warn Wellington that the Emperor was back. The only man who could stop him was Sir Arthur Wellesley.

  Chapter 2

  It took ten days of hard riding to complete our journey. By the time we reached Auxerre there were rumours of Bonaparte’s landing but they were just that, rumours. I wondered if Bonaparte had his spies and messengers riding to Paris. My old spymaster had been a clever man who planned meticulously. Perhaps his riders were ahead of us. Certainly we entered many bars where the sole topic of conversation was either when would Bonaparte return or what would he do when he did return. Our journey might be wasted for the Duke of Wellington would hear of Bonaparte's return long before we reached Paris. There was hope amongst the majority of people that we met and spoke with but those who had done well out of the royal return were both sceptical and fearful at the same time. It was a time of great unrest and unease.

  What I did not know was that the news had gone from Genoa to Vienna and, even as we approached Paris, all of Europe knew that Bonaparte had returned. It was no longer a rumour. It was a fact. And for many an unpalatable fact. The city was in chaos as the King and his court fled north to Belgium. Each time we stopped envious looks were cast in the direction of our horses. Sharp had been correct; they were worth ten times what he had paid for them and the wisdom of buying five had been justified. It was like riding through a disturbed ant's nest. One of us had to stand guard over the five animals every time we halted.

  Once we reached Paris we rode directly to the embassy and, while Sharp secured us rooms nearby, I went to speak with the Duke. To my dismay I discovered that he was at the peace talks in Vienna. My journey had been wasted. The official knew that Bonaparte had returned and seemed remarkably sanguine about it.

  "The Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte can do nothing, Major Matthews. The king rules now and the people have welcomed him with open arms. He has no support in the country. Of that you can be certain."

  The official confirmed my view of both diplomats and politicians; neither knew anything! "We have travelled the length of France and there is a great deal of support for him." I waved my hand at the street outside, "How do you explain this panic?"

  He smiled at me in a patronising manner, "They are French and very excitable. Do not worry yourself Major. I shall tell the Duke of your concern when he returns but there is no cause for alarm I can assure you."

  I left feeling frustrated. As I waited outside for Sharp I wondered if I had wasted my time. I could have stayed on the "Donna Maria" and not had to endure the uncomfortable journey riding for twelve hours a day and sleeping when I could.

  I decided that we would spend a night in Paris. The rooms and the stables had been paid for. In the cold light of a new day I would make the decision about our future. I felt slightly depressed. I think I thought that my actions might have foiled Bonaparte’s plans but I was wrong. I was so distracted by my depressing thoughts that I almost bumped into the officer who came up the steps.

  “Good God, but you have made a fortuitous visit to Paris, sir!”

  I looked into the face of Colonel Selkirk, England’s spymaster and the man who had sent Alan Sharp and me into danger more times than I cared to think of. I could not help laughing, “You have need to talk, Colonel Selkirk. When did you discover the news?”

  “I was in Vienna with the Duke. He sent me back as soon as we heard. He will appear calm and unflustered to calm our allies. But he will be arriving shortly.”

  So Captain Robinson’s journey to Horse Guards and Whitehall had been in vain. I hoped that Mr Fortnum had profited from the news. Discovering that there would be a rush on military supplies ahead of one's rivals could make a man's fortune.

  The Colonel put his arm around my shoulder and led me back inside. He waved imperiously to the diplomat who had just dismissed me. “I am pleased that you are here. It saves me having to send for you.”

  “I left the service. I am a ship owner and a successful business man. I only came here to bring the news to the Duke and it seems that was an unnecessary journey. Remember, I am retired now.”

  He laughed, “But you are still a commissioned officer and I am recalling you to the colours, so to speak.” He saw my frown and said in an almost pleading voice, “Come along Robbie, you didn’t think this was over did you? Surely you want to be there at the finish.” I shrugged, “I know that the Duke wants you.”

  “He is returning to lead the army?”

  “The Czar himself has asked for him. The other heads of state know he is the only man to face Bonaparte.”

  We had reached a room with a marine sentry outside. “Here is the cubby hole they have given me.” He suddenly stopped, “What brings you here so propitiously?”

  “Sharp and I spotted Bonaparte when he left Elba. We followed him to Golfe Juan and we have been one step ahead of him all the way north. We have been riding through France to bring the news.” I shook my head, “A wasted journey.”

  He waved me to a seat. “Just the opposite. In fact quite useful, especially to me. You came through France and you know the French people. You must have learned much as you travelled north. Will the Emperor be welcomed?”

  “With open arms. At first I thought it might be isolated pockets of old soldiers, but it is everyone. Farmers, businessmen, everyone. They see Bonaparte and equate him with success and prosperity. I am afraid the king did not endear himself to his people. He has brought the old aristocrats back with him and they have not learned their lesson. He has brought foreign businessmen and worst of all he has ignored the army. They do not forgive easily."

  “Good. At least we know where we stand now. I want you and Sharp to find him and discover all that you can of his plans.”

  I shook my head, “Are you mad? He still has a price on my head and I think that he will be even keener to have me dead than ever.”

  “Robbie, you and Sharp were the best two spies I ever had. You still are. You are like chameleons. You blend into the background. This is a perfect opportunity. There will be officers coming and going all the time. There will be confusion. Exploit it. Boney will be coming the same route you just took.” He went to a map. I could see that he thought he had persuaded me already. “Now I think that he will gather his generals and marshals here, at Fontainebleau. I am not certain how ma
ny will return to the colours. The ordinary soldiers will but his generals and marshals? I am not so sure. The Duke will need to know who is coming up against him. You need to find that out. You know yourself, Robbie, the more information the Duke has the more chance he has of success.”

  “Supposing I do find out who is joining his army, how does that help us?” I went to the map. “He could go anywhere in Europe.”

  “Aye well, I want you to find out what he intends there too.”

  “Not asking for much are you, sir?”

  “It is for your country.”

  “That might work with some bright eyed lieutenant but I have been doing this for more than twenty years. I have a nice life in Sicily now and you forget it is not my country. I was born in France and I live in Italy. I have spent less than three hundred days in England!”

  He gave me an evil grin. “And if Boney wins then all that might end. He came damned close the last time. We have to beat him once and for all.”

  He had me and he knew it.

  “If I do as you ask where will you be? I know it will be somewhere safe."

  He frowned at the obvious insult but I cared not. I was past being polite and diplomatic. "I am guessing Paris will be Imperial once more as soon as the Emperor comes closer.”

  “You are right. I am going to Brussels. I think the Duke will be heading there too. The Dutch are keen to keep their kingdom independent of France and they will provide soldiers for our army. Remember our best troops are all in America fighting the colonials again. In addition we have to keep our lines of communication with the Prussians open. It will take the Russians a long time to reach us and the Austrians are still calling their men to the colours.” His face softened into what passed as a sympathetic smile. “You take care of yourself, Robbie, but the work you do will be vital and this time your speed will be crucial. Find out what you can as soon as you can. By April, I want you in Brussels!”