Hornblower, the Duchess, and the Devil Summary

Indefatigable has captured the sloop Le Reve and Acting-lieutenant Hornblower takes the prize into Gibraltar Bay. Hornblower reports to the port admiral who decides to purchase Le Reve into the service. A few hours later, Hornblower is pleasantly surprised to receive orders to command Le Reve on a dispatch-carrying voyage to Plymouth. He is also invited to Government House for an afternoon fête with Their Excellencies, Major-General Sir Hew and Lady Dalrymple. Hornblower attends and is his usual nervous and fidgety self. He is introduced to Her Grace the Duchess of Wharfedale. Wharfedale was once a young serving maid who married an aged Duke who died shortly thereafter. She is coarse in manner and speech and has a startlingly heavy Seven Dials accent. Hornblower finds her difficult and then learns, much to...