Episode 3 - The Duchess and The Devil
Wednesday 24th of February
[Full Synopsis]
Hornblower, now promoted to Acting Lieutenant, assisted by just five men captures the French sloop Le Reve off the Spanish coast. The captain of the French ship is furious that a youngster has pulled off such a coup. But Pellew congratulates Hornblower on the squadron�s first successful action in six weeks of blockade against the Spanish and French. Hornblower is astonished to hear that Le Reve is his prize ship. After sailing it to Portsmouth, he may make �1,000 in prize money - his first taste of riches.
But far more daunting is Hornblower�s first taste of the high life, when he is invited to dine with the Governor of Gibraltar and his wife. The prospect of meeting Sir Hew and Lady Dalrymple is frightening enough, but an unexpected guest puts him in a spin. The glamorous and flirtatious Duchess of Wharfedale seems intent on teasing him. Hornblower is flustered by her attention, while the Duchess is delighted to see his confused reactions.
�The acquaintance doesn�t end with dinner. Hornblower is asked to escort the Duchess to England, and to take a packet of important naval dispatches with him.
Out at sea they find themselves in thick fog, but in the middle of the Spanish fleet. As the fog lifts they raise Le Reve�s original French colours, but the Spanish fleet is not fooled, and forces Le Reve to surrender.
Anxious to protect the despatches from falling into Spanish hands, Hornblower is desperate to find a safe place. The coquettish Duchess suggests the perfect hiding place, tucked safely in her frilly skirts. It seems like a good idea until Hornblower hears the Duchess speaking Spanish to their captors. Could she be a spy?
They are taken to the Spanish mainland, and thrown into jail, where Hornblower discovers his old friend Archie Kennedy. The midshipman has been in prison since being washed ashore, after being cast adrift by his old enemy Simpson.
Midshipman Hunter is determined to escape from the prison at the earliest opportunity. But Hornblower insists they will go only when they are fully prepared, and they will take the ailing Kennedy with them. Hunter is openly scornful of Hornblower�s resolve, and believes Kennedy will merely slow them down.
Hunter is even less impressed by the surprise arrival of the Duchess at the same Spanish prison, all be it in better quarters, and with significant influence over the prison governor Don Massaredo. The Duchess persuades the governor to allow Hornblower to take walks with her outside the confines of the prison every afternoon. Despite Hornblower�s initial reluctance, he forms an attachment to the flirtatious Duchess.
Hunter and the men are deeply suspicious of Hornblower�s motives. But Kennedy is more suspicious of the Duchess. He thinks she is an imposter, and reveals to Hornblower that she is actually an actress, Katharine Cobham.
Don Massaredo�s invitation to dinner provides further proof, when a visiting officer, Colonel de Vergesse, unmasks the Duchess as the actress he saw on a London stage.
Hornblower is now convinced he has given his precious despatches to an untrustworthy liar. But the Duchess uses her feminine wiles to protect both her true identity, and the despatches. Soon she is en route for Portugal, and friendly territory, with the vital information safely tucked away.
Hunter�s impatience leads to an abortive escape attempt, during which two guards are killed and Hunter is wounded. Hornblower insists on accepting responsibility for the rash and violent escape bid, and is duly punished by Don Massaredo. Hornblower is locked in a rat infested hell hole, starved of food and just rainwater to drink- conditions which would break the will of lesser men.
Hornblower�s privileges are restored on his release, and he gives his word he will not break his parole as an officer. Later as he walks along the beach with Don Massaredo they witness a Spanish ship in peril on stormy seas.
�Hornblower persuades Massaerdo to allow him and his crew to mount a daring rescue mission. By the time they reach the stricken ship there are just five survivors, one of whom is the Duchess. Hunter is swept away in the rescue bid. The dangerous mission takes its toll. The Duchess is near to death when they are rescued by the Indefatigable.
Hornblower insists he and his crew should return to prison, as he gave his parole to Don Massaredo. But Captain Pellew says Hornblower�s men have the right to choose whether to remain on board or return.
All the men choose to follow their newly promoted officer, Lieutenant Hornblower. Two weeks later the Spanish authorities order Hornblower�s release, along with his men in an acknowledgement of their selfless actions and bravery. But Don Massaredo believes this is not the last they have seen of Hornblower. He surmises he will be back to plague the Spanish.