
Eve Carew and Jeremy Broke spar over something as seemingly trivial as a haircut, but their rapid‑fire dialogue quickly reveals deeper currents of affection, social expectation, and personal rebellion. Set against the clatter of a 1920s drawing‑room, their banter drifts from the absurd—beards grown in protest—to the intimate, as each tries to read the other’s motives behind witty barbs and lingering glances. The novel opens with this charged exchange, immersing listeners in a world where etiquette and desire clash in equal measure.
As the story unfurls, the pair’s histories surface: a first meeting on a May Day, whispered rumors of broken engagements, and the lingering weight of family obligations. Their conversations become a conduit for exploring the constraints placed on women, the performative nature of status, and the yearning for genuine connection in a society that prizes appearances. Listeners will be drawn into a bright, character‑driven narrative that balances humor with a keen observation of the era’s social fabric.
Language
en
Duration
~7 hours (433K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Al Haines, Jen Haines & the online Project Gutenberg team at https://www.pgdpcanada.net
Release date
2021-05-19
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1885–1960
Best known for witty upper-class comedy and fast-moving adventure, this English novelist was one of the popular storytellers of the interwar years. Writing as Dornford Yates, he built a loyal readership with the cheerful Berry books and the more dangerous Richard Chandos thrillers.
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