The Lady's Command

By Stephanie Laurens

How does marriage work? If convention is set aside and is no longer there to guide…what then?

Stephanie Laurens, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the beloved Cynster novels, brings you THE ADVENTURERS QUARTET, a riveting blend of Regency–era high seas adventure, a mystery shrouded in the heat of tropical jungles, and the passionate romances of four couples and their unexpected journeys into love.

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.

The first voyage is one of exploration, the second one of discovery. The third journey brings maturity, while the fourth is a voyage of second chances.

Start the journey here and follow the adventure, the mystery, and the romances to the cataclysmic end.

Praise for the works of Stephanie Laurens

“Stephanie Laurens' heroines are marvelous tributes to Georgette Heyer: feisty and strong.” Cathy Kelly

 “Stephanie Laurens never fails to entertain and charm her readers with vibrant plots, snappy dialogue, and unforgettable characters.” Historical Romance Reviews.

“Stephanie Laurens plays into readers' fantasies like a master and claims their hearts time and again.” Romantic Times Magazine

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Australia
• Release date: Jan 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781760378301

Stephanie Laurens

#1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens began writing as an escape from the dry world of professional science, a hobby that quickly became a career. Her novels set in Regency England have captivated readers around the globe, making her one of the romance world's most beloved and popular authors.

Reviews for The Lady's Command

[scoutmomskf · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good book, though rather different than the majority of Stephanie Laurens's books. As the book opens, Declan and Edwina are already married and quite happy with their marriage, though it is apparent that there is some difference of opinion of what makes a strong marriage. Declan looks at marriage in the more traditional sense, with Edwina remaining at home when he has to go to sea. Edwina has grown up in a family where the women are fully integrated partners in their marriages and is determined to have the same.I really enjoyed seeing how happy they are together right from the beginning. It was also interesting to see how, once they were married, Declan began to see a different side of Edwina. Because they were on their honeymoon, Declan's business ventures are on hold, so their time together has little stress. Edwina is able to ease her way into Declan's personal life, showing him the benefits of her experience in society and how it can affect his own life. While she is aware of his business as a ship's captain, and intends to be a part of that life too, she doesn't know about the occasional secret missions he undertakes for the Crown. When their honeymoon is interrupted by an urgent need for Declan to go to Africa, his intent is to leave Edwina at home where it is safe. He can't tell her the truth behind the trip, which leaves them at odds over his refusal to take her along. I loved Edwina's realization that nagging isn't going to get her what she wants, so she has to be less direct. I loved her method of ensuring that she is included. It was clever and effective. Declan's reaction was not surprising, and it was fun to see Edwina let him rant on until he ran out of steam, and then point out the benefits of having her along. Once he confessed the real reason behind the trip, it was great to see them work out the best way to take advantage of her presence. I liked the fact that Declan didn't hold a grudge over being fooled and quickly saw her usefulness. I really liked the growth of their relationship. Now that they are married and thrown together in unusual circumstances, they are given the opportunity to get to know each other in deeper ways. I really loved seeing Declan experience all the different facets of Edwina's personality. His appreciation for her abilities continued to grow and began to open his eyes to the benefits of a true partnership. I also liked seeing how Edwina learned more about what made Declan the man he is. It was fun to see Declan's idea of marriage change as he experiences Edwina's version of what makes the best kind of partnership. I especially enjoyed the ending, as Edwina is shown as a full partner when they meet again with Wolverstone.The mystery picked up once they arrived in Sierra Leone. With instructions to find out what they can about the missing men, but to NOT pursue what they learn, Declan and Edwina have to be careful not to give away their interest. I really enjoyed the way that it was Edwina that was able to discover that it was more than just the four men missing, that there are also women and children that have disappeared. Each bit of information they pick up adds to an increasingly disturbing bigger picture, but they need some more concrete information before they can return to London. An attack on them shows they are on the right track, but still missing vital proof. That proof comes from an unexpected source, putting Edwina in far more danger than they had expected. Fortunately Declan is able to manage her rescue and they have the proof they need. I loved encountering Wolverstone/Dalziel again, and seeing that he still has his hands in the business of the security of England. His determination that this problem not turn into another Black Cobra disaster was a nice tie in to the previous series. I liked his focus on the bigger picture, as he orchestrates the next step in the search for the truth. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

[vonze-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I appreciate that the story takes place after the couple's wedding. I felt it was unique in that regard, and a plot I'd like to see more often. Laurens also has a beautiful way of describing situations and feelings.

But, sadly, it was also very slow, and for me, dragged.

[whitreidtan · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Typically when you think of romance, you expect to watch a hero and heroine fall in love, face some sort of obstacle or misunderstanding, and ultimately overcome everything to be together. That is not the case at all in Stephanie Laurens' newest Regency set historical romance, The Lady's Command.Lady Edwina and her husband Declan Frobisher are very newly married when the novel opens. They are in love and clearly happy in their marriage and with each other as they mingle and present the picture they want society to have of them. Lady Edwina is the daughter of a duke and so has a large amount of social cachet. Declan is a ship's captain and the son of an old and long established shipping family which often assists the Crown in its more delicate endeavors. They are devoting their honeymoon to creating their newly combined image when Declan is unexpectedly called into service on a secret mission. He is disappointed to leave his delectable new wife behind but he dismisses her appeal to accompany him. Lady Edwina, not as delicate and conventional as she appears, is unwilling to stay home so despite her husband's wishes, she stows away on his ship, determined to play a part in all aspects of his life and forging a marriage of equals. Once discovered, her presence will not only provide Declan with a better cover story for his unexpected presence in Freetown, Sierra Leone but her social savvy will help him discover more than he ever imagined.With their ostensibly straightforward courtship behind the main characters, this novel is more a settling into marriage than a spark filled coming together. They are still negotiating what their marriage will look like and how it will be balanced and their working together to uncover whatever is rotten in Freetown signals Declan that the beautiful Edwina intends to be always by his side no matter what danger or hardship they might face. As they look into the disturbing disappearances of several soldiers, sailors, and a government spy, they discover that there are women and children missing from the colony as well, turning the novel from a romance into more of a mystery suspense novel. The romantic bits are conveyed in flowery prose while the mystery is rife with intrigue and covert investigation. In the end, the latter definitely takes precedence, and the reader's interest, over the former. As this is the first in a series of four novels, the ending is unresolved and the reader will have to read subsequent novels to unravel the carefully plotted answer to all of the questions raised by the mysterious disappearances raised here in this first book. Laurens generally writes well but this is a little light on the romance for some romance readers, myself included.

[eyes92c · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Dazzling combination! the maiden voyage and an adventurous heart!Reading Lauren's works over the years, the notion of marriage and what factors contribute to bring two people together in a strong relationship that grows over time has surely been a central theme.With The Lady's Command that theme is given voice. It is overt. We are taken from a different beginning into uncharted territory. I must admit that it took me a moment to be drawn into this more explicit direction. We are not starting from the across a crowded room beginning. We are starting from the happily ever after, riding off into the sunset with your prince/princess beside you, place. Unusual, invigorating even!When Captain Declan Frobisher is called upon to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a crown spy in the West African port of Freetown shortly after his marriage to Lady Edwina Delbraith, he envisages that his wife would stay at home guarding home and hearth. Annoying as it was to have to step into action so soon after his marriage, Declan must however meet this request. His family's seafaring empire continues to assist the crown, having been privateers with a Letter of Marque that had never been rescinded. If Declan thought that Edwina would go quietly into the night--he was wrong, as he discovers once his ship has set sail. Edwina joins him in his quest for information into the spy's disappearance. What they uncover is alarming and puzzling. There are more disappearances, including young women and children, than openly acknowledged. It is up to Edwina and Declan to pursue the threads that they can in the differing circles of Freetown inhabitants open to them. When danger threatens from an unknown source they press on. The voyage is one of discovery on both the personal and the investigative level. Edwina finds herself married to a man who matches her adventurous heart and between them Declan and Edwina chart their way into a closer and more satisfying relationship. Drawn into this delightful opening chapter of The Adventurers Quartet I look forward to the next episode of high sea adventure that is surely the mark of the Frobisher family.A NetGalley ARC

[wyvernfriend · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Captain Decland Frobisher is married to Lady Edwina Delbraith and she is determined to be as much of a wife as she can, including going with him on a mission whether he likes it or not (I did giggle over his reaction to finding her in a steamer trunk). He has to come to terms with the fact that she has skills and knowledge and she has to come to terms with the fact that sometimes his martial skills will keep them safe.I think this was spoiled somewhat by my reading books 3 and 2 of this series (in that order by the way) and I knew a lot of what was going to happen in the story, still it was an interesting read.

[fictionzeal · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was attraction at first sight. Both Captain Declan Frobisher and Lady Edwina Delbraith felt it. They even loved each other’s families and the secrets that would soon be shared. When Declan is called upon by the First Lord of the Admiralty to the British settlement in Freetown, West Africa to investigate a number of missing people, the last thing he expected would be to take Edwina with him. She insisted; he refused. Then, he had no choice once he found her showed on board the ship. Now, Frobisher finds himself investigating the missing officer and trying to protect Edwina at the same time.This is Stephanie Laurens first book in historical romance series, The Adventurers Quartet, set in 1824. It’s a sweet romance between the two very likable main characters. Because they are married at the outset of the story, it lacks the romantic tension that is common in many romance novels. It’s a marriage like many others in which the two begin life’s journey learning the intricate details of each other. The writing, however, invoked a little more ‘telling’ than ‘showing’. Rating: 3 out of 5.