The Lady's Command by Stephanie Laurens
Series: The Adventurers Quartet #1
Published by MIRA
Publication Date: December 29th 2015
Genres: Historical Romance
Pages: 384
Source: Publisher
Format: eARC
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Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely mine.

The instant Captain Declan Frobisher laid eyes on Lady Edwina Delbraith, he knew she was the lady he wanted as his wife. The scion of a seafaring dynasty accustomed to success, he discovered that wooing Edwina was surprisingly straightforward—not least because she made it plain that she wanted him as much as he wanted her.

Declan’s vision of marriage was of a gently-reared wife to grace his arm, to manage his household, and to bear his children. He assumed that household, children, and wife would remain safely in England while he continued his life as an explorer sailing the high seas.

Declan got his wish—up to a point. He and Edwina were wed. As for the rest—his vision of marriage…

Aunt of the young Duke of Ridgware and sister of the mysterious man known as Neville Roscoe, London’s gambling king, even before the knot was tied Edwina shattered the illusion that her character is as delicate, ethereal, and fragile as her appearance suggests. Far from adhering to orthodox mores, she and her ducal family are even more unconventional than the Frobishers.

Beneath her fairy-princess exterior, Edwina possesses a spine of steel—one that might bend, but will never break. Born to the purple—born to rule—she’s determined to rule her life. With Declan’s ring on her finger, that means forging a marriage that meets her needs as well as his.

But bare weeks into their honeymoon, Declan is required to sail to West Africa. Edwina decides she must accompany him.

A secret mission with unknown villains flings unexpected dangers into their path as Declan and Edwina discover that meeting the challenge of making an unconventional marriage work requires something they both possess—bold and adventurous hearts.

 

 

Review

THE LADY’S COMMAND has everything that you can expect from Stephanie Laurens – adventure, danger, intrigue, a strong-willed and independent heroine and an honorable and brave hero – but it’s also a little different because in this book, the story begins after the courtship and marriage of the couple, unlike in other books where this is usually a part of the adventure.

 Captain Declan Frobisher knew he wanted Lady Edwina Delbraith as his wife the first time he set his eyes on her and now that he’s achieved that goal, he expects that she’ll spend her time like the other ladies of the ton – managing his household, bearing his children and pursuing other ladylike interests, while he sails the seas as part of his family’s business holdings as well as on the covert missions undertaken on behalf of the Crown. Lady Edwina has different ideas on what kind of marriage she wants and it involves being a part of every bit of her husband’s life, not just part of it. So when Declan has to go on a mission and refuses to allow her join him, she takes matters into her own hands decisively.

I enjoyed this couple very much, especially their willingness to make their marriage what they wanted in spite of the expectations of society, and their journey becomes one of discovery. Edwina has the spirit of an adventurer, just like Declan and embraces life with open arms. She’s also very skilled and strategic at social niceties, which comes in handy for the Frobishers who have little skill in that area and have to rely on Edwina and her family to help them. These skills will be very handy in the information-gathering mission they are undertaking and I liked that Declan was quick to recognize and capitalize on that. The revelation that Declan and his brothers routinely undertook secret missions for the Crown highlights his loyal, daring and courageous nature and Edwina was definitely the perfect woman for him. There are some surprises too, but what stands out is that Edwina is the more forceful personality of the two of them, which is a departure from Ms. Laurens’s usual characters.

I love the mystery angle of this story and anyone who loves mysteries or has read and loved her Black Cobra Quartet series will love this new series as well. Danger, secrets, missing persons and voodoo priestesses are just some of what await Declan and Edwina at the end of their journey, The clues are doled out sparingly but you’ll be waiting for the next book eagerly just for more pieces to the puzzle. 

This book has a slower pace than other books and the romance is more sweet than fiery but that doesn’t make it less interesting. I actually enjoyed the development of Edwina and Declan’s relationship. THE LADY’S COMMAND has its own charm and I look forward to the rest of the series.

 

 

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