Lady Edwina is a duke's daughter—beautiful, intelligent, and accustomed to getting what she wants. Her new husband, Declan Frobisher, is a ship's captain and sometime-spy for the English government. Edwina wants to see the world with Declan. He wants to leave her safe at home—especially when he's on a top secret mission.

Author Stephanie Laurens sets up a battle of wills in THE LADY'S COMMAND, the first book in her Adventurer's Quartet series. Edwina is smart enough to know when to stop arguing and start taking action. Once their ship is in open water, Declan has no choice but to accept her presence and her aid.

It's a joy to read about these two newlyweds, very much in love, and intent on setting the right course for their marriage. Laurens gives Edwina and Declan a great challenge, too; they're investigating the disappearances of four British officers in West Africa. Edwina soon learns, those officers are not the only missing people, and the couple soon find their mission is far more dangerous than they expected.

THE LADY'S COMMAND is a tight-knit mystery within an exotic visit to 19th century Africa wrapped up in a delightful love story. Laurens takes us into the bedroom, but the descriptions are more conceptual than graphic. THE LADY'S COMMAND is a novel I recommend for any Regency readers who enjoy action, adventure, and a look at colonial life outside the Ton.