Let's pull back the curtain on Ethel M. Dell's world. This collection gathers several of her shorter works, with the title piece taking center stage. We meet Audrey, a celebrated actress at the peak of her career, and Colonel Ivor Dysart, a man known for his icy discipline. They are married, but it's a union built on a practical, secret agreement rather than love—her 'safety curtain' against scandal, his for reasons he keeps locked away. The story follows their return to England and Dysart's ancestral home, where the act they've been performing starts to fracture under the pressure of old flames, family tensions, and the sheer weight of their unspoken feelings.

Why You Should Read It

Dell's magic is in her intense, almost theatrical focus on character emotions. She zooms right in on the moment a hand trembles, a face pales, or a voice breaks. Her characters aren't always 'likeable' in a modern sense—they can be stubborn, proud, and melodramatic—but they are ferociously felt. You read not just to see if they end up together, but to witness the incredible strain it takes for them to finally be honest. It's a fascinating look at a time when reputation was everything and inner turmoil had to be disguised at all costs. The other stories in the collection play with similar ideas: hidden identities, shocking revelations, and love that feels more like a rescue mission.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for anyone who craves a strong dose of drama and isn't afraid of stories that wear their hearts boldly on their sleeves. If you enjoy the works of Georgette Heyer but want something with more emotional grit and less comedy, or if you just love a good, stirring romance where the biggest battle is against one's own pride, you'll fall right into Dell's world. It's not subtle, but it's powerfully engaging, a perfect read for a rainy afternoon when you want to be completely swept away by someone else's turbulent, heartfelt problems.