Chapter 43 November 1813: The Battle Of Leipzing

When summer came. War started again. All France knew now that Sweden was fighting against the Emperor. No one visited me; not even Julie. Joseph wouldnt let her come to my house.

But one day Talleyrand came. We sat in the garden together and drank champagne.

"Where is your Count Rosen?" he asked.

"I sent him back to Stockholm. He wanted to ride into battle beside my husband. He said it was every noblemans duty to do so," I said. Then I added: "What news have you brought me?"

"No news, Your Highness," he said. "Your husbands allies, Britain and Russia, expect to defeat the Emperor this year. The Emperor of Austria has joined them--- but you wont read that in the French newspapers."

"The Emperor of Austria? Is he fighting against his own daughters husband?"

"He is. He knows who will win this war. He wants to be on the right side when it ends."

I thought: "Yes. So do Talleytrand and Fouche." But I didnt say it. We talked about other things.

Before he left, he bowed and said: "One day, Your Highness, I shall come to you with a special request. On that day the peace of France will be in your hands. Not only the peace of France. The peace of all Europe."

A moment later he had driven away. I was still wondering what he meant.

Silence then the months have passed slowly. Ive waited anxiously for news of Jean. None came, until last night.

In my dreams, I saw a lonely rider crossing a battlefield. It was Jean, and he was riding his favourite horse. He looked very unhappy; there were even tears on his face. Suddenly he stopped, and the horse gave a little cry.

The cry woke me. Then I heard it again. It was in the street, below my bedroom window. I listened, and there was a gentle knock on the front door.

I lit a candle and looked at the clock. It was half past three. Who would come to my house at that hour? I went downstairs and stood close to the door.

"Whos there?" I said.

"Villatte," a voice said. Another voice said: "Rosen."

I unlocked the door and welcomed them. "For Gods sake," I said, "give me your news. How is my husband? Where have you come from?"

"His Highness is well. He sends you his best wishes," said Villatte.

I was staring at Rosen in the candlelight. He was wearing a French officers uniform! "What ever are you doing in those clothes. Count Rosen?" I asked.

"Weve defeated the Emperors army." Said Rosen. "But our own army hasnt yet reached France. His Highness made me wear these terrible clothes so that I could reach Paris without trouble."

"And I am a prisoner," Villatte said with a sad smile. "Im Count Rosens prisoner, in fact. But Im also his guard. Ive brought him here safely. Now I have to guard your house till the enemy reaches Paris. Those are His Highnesss orders."

Now I understood those tears on Jeans face in my dreams.

"Come, gentlemen," I said. "Ill make you some coffee."

We went into the kitchen, and Rosen lit the fire. Then we sat round the kitchen table till the water boiled.

Their clothes and their faces were covered with mud. They both looked terribly tired. "Weve riding hard for about two weeks," said Villatte. "Weve had no proper sleep since the battle ended."

"Where was this battle?" I asked.

"It was at Leipzig, in east Germany," Rosen answered. "His Highness himself took the city. As he went in at one gate, the Emperor Napoleon escaped through another. The armies of Russia and Austria and Prussia were fighting with us. But your husband planned the battle for them all. I was present when he explained his plans to the Tsar and the Austrian emperor. His memory astonished them. He hadnt forgotten the smallest important detail."

"Did you speak to my husband, Villatte?" I asked. "How did he look?"

"Yes. Madame. After the battle, your husband sat on his horse in the market place of Leipzig. He had asked the Tsar and the Austrian Emperor to meet him there. While he was waiting, he saw some French prisoners passing. He noticed me among them.

" Come here, Villatte, he said. Why arent you with my wife? I told him that you had sent me to fight for France. So he ordered me to come back here with Rosen."

"Yes," said Rosen. "He was angry with me too because I left you without his permission. Now were here, and we wont leave you again, Your Highness."

"Thank you, gentlemen," I said. "You had better get some sleep. Your rooms are ready for you. Nothing here had changed since you left."

They went to bed, and I went to Jeans own room. It was cold and dusty. I must make it more comfortable before he arrives.

Suddenly a voice behind me said: "What are you doing here in the middle of the night, Desiree?"

It was Marie. She still calls me Desiree when were alone together. I told her that Jean had defeated Napoleon. "Hes coming to Paris with the Tsar and the Austrian emperor." I added.

"He ought to be ashamed of himself!" Marie said fiercely.

She was thinking of Pierre, who died three months ago. I was thinking of a lonely rider, with tears in his eyes. That rider loves France. He wants to save her from Napoleons terrible wars. But he cannot save her unless he defeats her first.