Polonaise (48 page)

‘Poland's. I hope.'

‘You've said that before.' She thought his voice had lacked conviction. ‘Are you sure, Jan?'

‘Almost.' He owed her the truth. ‘The trouble is, can they be sure? Can anyone? It's hard to believe what's happening. The two masters of the world, talking peace, preparing for war, and all for – what? No reason given. There's more cause for us Americans to fight the British than for Russia to fight the French. But – I've not told you –' a swift kiss explained the omission ‘– the Tsar is at Vilno.'

‘What?'

‘Yes. He got there a few days ago – a routine review of his troops, he calls it. I managed to get myself into his train, as an observer for Mr. Adams, who stays behind in Petersburg, as does the French Ambassador, much against his will. Maybe just as well for his peace of mind. He'd be surprised how the Tsar is contriving to charm his Polish Lithuanian nobles into loving submission.'

‘He's succeeding?'

‘He most certainly is. All he needs now is to proclaim himself King of all Poland, and they are his, body and soul.'

‘And then?'

‘That's the great question. If one could only trust him! But you know how he changes, vacillates … It will be all loving enlightenment, I think, so long as the emergency lasts, and then the Russian machine will roll over the new kingdom, and it will find itself just another province, subject to the full bureaucratic tyranny of Holy Russia.' He kissed her thoughtfully. ‘What do you hear from the Princess?'

‘Nothing for a long time. The border's a desperate gamble these days; the Brotherhood warned me not to try to use the secret way. But the mere fact that she remains in the Duchy, despite all the Tsar's threats, surely means that she still feels the little Prince's best hope, and Poland's, is with the French.'

‘And so do I. I won't pretend I'm the passionate enthusiast for Napoleon I once was, but he does give his own form of democratic government to the countries he dominates – and French law. Imagine the Tsar allowing his Polish subjects their
Sejm?
'

‘I can't,' she agreed. ‘Jan, I'm ashamed, but I'm afraid.
The last message I got from the Princess warned me to have everything ready for flight.'

‘I'm glad she took so much thought for you. But you should be safe here, with the Russians encamped across the river, and the Tsar at Vilno. I'm more anxious for the Princess, and the little Prince at Rendomierz. General Tormassov is assembling a Russian army down south, beyond the Pripet Marshes. It's bound to attack the Duchy if war does break out.'

‘And Rendomierz would be in its line of march? I must get a message to the Princess; warn her.'

‘I think you should. And the Brotherhood's messenger can take a letter for Talleyrand for me.'

‘Talleyrand?'

‘I saw the French Ambassador in St. Petersburg before I left. He's heard that Talleyrand is back in favour and bound for Warsaw.'

‘Isn't that very strange?' she asked.

‘After all his hopes for peace? Yes, very strange indeed, but a brilliant move on Napoleon's part. Talleyrand will unite the Poles of the Duchy as no one else could.'

‘Maybe even persuade Napoleon to name a kingdom and a King for Poland before the Tsar does. If he wants the kind of universal support he'll need, a mass uprising of Poles on both sides of the border and a Polish Cossack screen for his army, I think he had better. Proclaim a kingdom and the trickle of men across the frontier would become a flood. You'll tell Talleyrand that, when you write? I'm sure it's important.'

‘Such a charming strategist.' He nibbled her ear lovingly. ‘I'll most certainly remember to mention your views to Talleyrand.'

But the Brotherhood's messenger never reached Rendomierz.

Lingering on in Warsaw as filthy snow began to melt, the Princess was relieved to find that her rejection of Bignon's advances had made no difference in his behaviour to her. She thought a great deal about the curious message Genet had brought her from Talleyrand, and, while she thought about it, delayed her return to Rendomierz. Time enough when she got there to decide whether to act on his hint, and Anna's, and
marry Glynde Rendel before he became Lord Ringmer. It was an idea to make the blood race. Her first man, and she had never forgotten him. Memories long repressed welled up in her. That first night, when he had understood what she wanted of him. He had picked her up, stronger than he looked, carried her to her room. And then … Her colour rose. Her own hand thoughtfully touched her breast. It had been one of the hardest things she ever did, closing her door to him when the moment came. Casimir's father? And he adored her, would be her devoted slave. And, if the very worst should happen, a haven in England. Baroness Ringmer?

In the meantime, life in Warsaw was brilliantly interesting. Society was at fever pitch, expecting war, victory, and a free Poland. Isobel even found she enjoyed the working parties, where noble ladies made bandages, scraped lint and exchanged gossip. All of them seemed to have husbands, sons or brothers in the swiftly expanding Polish army, and she was disconcerted to find herself tacitly relegated to an older generation. She had long since stopped wearing mourning for her husband. Why should she be treated as a widow, on the shelf? Could she actually be regretting that she had snubbed Bignon? Her thoughts, when she returned from the cheerful working parties, turned more and more to Rendomierz, and Glynde Rendel, the future Lord Ringmer, though he did not know it. But he might learn, any day. She gave her orders, at last, for the journey home, and the horses were ordered, the packing almost complete, when Bignon called on her.

‘I've come to say goodbye, cruel lady.' She rather thought he was teasing her.

‘Goodbye? You had heard then, that I am leaving for Rendomierz?'

‘Why, no. It is I who will soon be leaving. My replacement is on his way.'

‘Monsieur Talleyrand?' It was out before she could stop herself.

‘You knew? That's interesting. No, not Talleyrand, though I too had looked forward to his coming. The Emperor has changed his mind. Talleyrand is still in Paris, Monsieur de Pradt comes here as Minister in my stead.'

‘Who?'

He laughed his dry laugh. ‘You may well ask. He's Bishop of Malines, for what that is worth. The Emperor has perhaps taken into consideration the importance of the Church here in Poland. It's the only explanation I can think of for the change of plan. It's a disappointment, I confess. But, you, Highness, you are really leaving us?'

‘I cannot bear to be separated from my son any longer.'

‘Most understandable. Most creditable. You have not thought of bringing him here to Warsaw?'

‘Would you advise it?'

‘An armed camp, as the city is becoming? Even here in your beautiful house one is aware of the crowd outside. I do not believe I would venture to advise you one way or the other. It would be an interesting experience for the boy to see the soldiers of so many nations, but maybe overexciting, for him and his schoolfellows.'

‘You don't imagine we will be at risk at Rendomierz?'

‘At risk? My dear lady, what an absurd idea.'

The spring was late in 1812, with green hardly showing until May, and when the Princess finally returned to Rendomierz early in June it was to waterlogged fields and blossom blasted on the fruit trees.

‘It's good to be home.' She smiled at Glynde Rendel who had come forward to greet her with the steward, Leon Wysocki, as she alighted from her carriage.

‘It's good to see you here, Highness.' He took her hand to help her alight, aware of a change in her. ‘More beautiful than ever, if I may say so.'

She laughed, pleased. ‘New clothes, Mr. Rendel, straight from Paris.' She had worked hard for the compliment, now put her hand on his arm in a gesture that was a little more than friendly. ‘But where is my son? Where is Casimir?'

‘He has his own greeting for you. I thought you might prefer it indoors. The air is cold still; you should not be lingering out here after your journey.'

‘Always so considerate.' She smiled up at him as she had not for years. ‘Then by all means let us go in and see what Casimir has prepared for me.' She had taken off her gloves and her hand was warm on his. ‘And here is my good Jenny.' She greeted her more as a servant than as a friend, and he was surprised how it irked him.

The boys, drawn up just inside the door, burst into song at sight of the Princess. ‘Dombrowski's March!' She smiled when she recognised the tune, listened with obvious patience as they sang the vigorous stanzas that had resounded in Italy, in Egypt, in Spain, wherever the Polish army had done Napoleon's heaviest work for him. ‘And Poland always shall be free,' she sang the last lines with them, and got a resounding cheer. ‘But you've changed the words?' Bending to kiss Casimir.

‘I wrote them myself.' Proudly.

‘Playing at poet?' A hint of disdain in her tone as she turned to Glynde. ‘I trust he has not been neglecting his military studies?' And again the intimate smile. ‘I am sure I can count on you to have kept the balance even. You'll dine with me, of course. Jenny can see to the boys. Take them away now, Jenny, their chatter is giving me the headache and I'm sure they ought to be drilling or something.' She bent once more, smiling, to Casimir. ‘Wait till you see what I've brought you from Warsaw.' And then, relenting under his eager gaze: ‘Real uniforms for you and your troop! I hope they are going to be big enough! Now, off you go with Miss Peverel and leave me in peace.' She turned away to greet the rest of her little court, grouped at the foot of the great staircase, then declared herself exhausted and announced that she would see them all at dinner. ‘Till then, Mr. Rendel,' she paused on the stair. ‘Oh, I quite forgot to tell Jenny. I've messages for her from an old friend of hers, Paul Genet.'

‘He was in Warsaw?'

‘On his way to the front. Monsieur Talleyrand has given him leave to rejoin his regiment. I hope Jenny will be impressed by his gallantry.' She laughed. ‘It was a great disappointment. We quite thought Talleyrand was coming as Minister to Warsaw, and then the Emperor changed his mind at the last minute and sent a nobody called de Pradt. Thinks he's a squire of dames; a flow of talk that would drown you. And treats Marie Walewska as if she were royalty. I will say for her, she was so embarrassed she withdrew to the country. But it's not made him any friends among the ladies. Bignon, whom he replaced, seems brilliant in comparison. I wish Talleyrand had come.'

‘Did Genet bring messages from him?'

‘Nothing to signify, why should he? Talleyrand too thought he was to come himself. It's been one disappointment after another. We were sure the Emperor would come to Warsaw, use it as his headquarters, tell us his plans for Poland. Genet told me to expect him. You can imagine the preparations that we made.'

‘And what happened?'

‘He sent Count Narbonne to the Tsar at Vilno with the most peaceful proposals, and got a stony answer back. And
set off at once, but for Dantzig, not Warsaw. Such a disappointment for Marie Walewska!'

‘For all Poles,' said Glynde. ‘If he had intended the kind of promise you hoped for, Napoleon would have gone to Warsaw to make it in person. He's hedging his bets. I wonder if that is wise.'

‘It's certainly caused some heartbreak. The second time we've prepared to give him a great welcome and been disappointed. Has there been any news from Vinsk?'

‘Not for a long time. The border is almost impassable these days.'

‘Except for mad young Lithuanian Poles, who risk all to join our army. I need your advice, by the way. I have to name a delegate to the
Sejm
that is to be held this month. That's what I came home for. Someone I can rely on. Leon Wysocki, do you think?'

‘He'll certainly do what you tell him.'

‘Which is what counts. Oh me, it's all a heavy responsibility, and I am tired. I'll see you at dinner.' She climbed slowly, gracefully up the great staircase, aware of admiring eyes on her elegant back.

But Glynde had turned instantly away to hurry after Jenny and the boys. He found Jenny alone, taking a short cut across the pleasure gardens. ‘They're at their drill?'

‘Yes.' Smiling. ‘The Master of Arms was not at all pleased that he had not been summoned to greet the Princess. I'm afraid he is going to take it out on the poor little things.'

‘Casimir won't stand for unreasonable bullying.'

‘No. I think he frightens Herr von Stenck sometimes.'

‘I'm delighted to hear it! I've got a message for you.'

‘For me?'

‘The Princess remembered it a bit late. From Paul Genet. He called on her in Warsaw, and asked to be remembered to you.'

‘Such a serious message! But what was Paul Genet doing in Warsaw?'

‘Announcing Talleyrand's coming as Minister.'

‘Talleyrand? That's good!'

‘It would have been. He's not come after all. The Princess says Bignon's been replaced by a nonentity. And, something
else, something that worries me. They all expected Napoleon in Warsaw, to make his headquarters there.'

‘Yes, of course.'

‘He's gone to Dantzig instead. Do you think that even now, at this eleventh hour, we could persuade the Princess to take Casimir across the border, get him to Vilno to swear homage to the Tsar?'

‘You're not serious?'

‘Never more so. You must see what this means. Napoleon's avoided Warsaw because he intends to let the Poles bleed their lives away for him, promising them nothing. He's done it before, and they've stuck to him, but I think this may be once too often. I've talked a good deal to Herr von Stenck this winter. He's a martinet, but he's no fool. Strategically, I think he's sound. And he says that if Napoleon really means to invade Russia he's going to need two things: the common people on his side, all through what was once Poland, and a screen of Polish Cossacks, who know the country. And he won't get either of those without declaring himself.'