My Lady Compelled
By Shirl Anders

Full Page Excerpt from "My Lady Compelled" 
(reviews below)

     Gabriella realized immediately that she must have truly lost consciousness in the last explosive throes of raw passion that Drummond commanded from her body, because she came awake reclining on a settee. Drummond was standing over her, languidly smoking a spicy smelling cigar. His slate gray eyes revealed nothing, not a modicum of tenderness in their reserved depths.
     She quickly crossed her arm over the transparent material covering her breasts, placing one hand modestly between her legs as heat flooded her cheeks to burning. She was so confused, feeling indignant, shameful and yet completely sated . . . somehow. She never imagined in her wildest dreams that a man could bring a woman to such passion!
     “Maidenly modesty does not become you at this moment, Madame.” Drummond raised his perfectly sculpted sliver-gray eyebrow in reprove. “Nor shall I allow it to become a part of our newest relationship.” He puffed lazily on his cigar with his gaze demanding that she move her arms.
     She huffed, flustered with her familiar and graceful composure thoroughly in shreds as she floundered, not knowing where or how to act. In one short afternoon her life had completely changed. Nothing seemed of herself anymore and she did not know where to begin to regain the pieces that had become lost or—or irrevocably changed.
     “They prohibited slavery years ago, Lord Kittridge,” she exclaimed, principally to halt the words she would have spoken, begging Drummond to comfort her. Still, she lowered her arms as he silently commanded and she realized in a moment of panic what possession he held over her now.
     He ignored her comment wholly, as appeared to be a trait of his, while his gaze boldly studied her barely concealed breasts. “It could have been worse, Madame. It was only by chance circumstances that I learned your husband had intentions to sell you. Quite a barbarous ideal, selling one’s wife, however, for my purposes, effective.”
     “Your purposes?” she questioned in a whisper, holding forth little hope that he would answer her inquiry.
     “And to a lower class patron no less.” Drummond paused, tilting his head upward for a slow stately puff on his cigar. “Imagine my surprise?”
     Gabriella shuddered, but offered no verbal comment as her gaze irrevocably slid down over the length of Drummond’s tall frame while he was not looking at her. Even at his age, he was still the most attractive man that she had ever seen. He was muscular and trim with shortly cut, silver-gray hair, adding a dramatic and handsome maturity to his tanned and hawkish features.
     “And for what?” Drummond mused. “This claim that you are barren?”
     Gabriella’s mind suddenly fired from its confusion as pain and deep humiliation flared in her breast. She came upright, off of the settee with jerky, angry motions. Remaining mute, she stood and quickly gathered her clothing, holding it before her like a shield. She would not even take the time to dress. What difference could it make after this horrible day? She would find her cloak quickly and that would be enough.
     “I choose the streets,” she muttered gazing downward at the shambles of clothing in her arms. Like her life. She did not hear Drummond’s approach until suddenly his warm, strong hands were clasped to her bare upper arms as he turned her to face him.
     “That is no longer an option for you, Madame.”
     Her gaze shot to his face. Somehow he had rid himself of his cigar and she thought she detected a fleeting second of sympathy in his charcoal-gray eyes, coming and going so quickly that she was sure she had just imagined it.
     “Your husband will no longer have you Madame. That paragon, whom I might mention was chosen over myself twenty-five years ago. You have no further family alive, no money, and the papers signed this day between your husband and myself, while not entirely legally binding, are enough so that if you breach the contract by leaving me without my consent, I could stretch the situation enough to have you arrested until a lengthy courtroom battle could ascertain the ramifications.”
     “Jail,” she whispered horrified.
    “The gaol to be exact, Lady St. John.” Drummond paused searching her gaze intently as if to ascertain her complete understanding, then he released her and strode toward his desk saying, “I shall expect you to join me for dinner at seven. Your clothes have been delivered to my chambers where you may go now and refresh yourself. Rest if you need to, Madame.”
     Gabriella remained mute, watching in horrid fascination as Drummond sat in his high-backed desk chair, facing her nonchalantly from across his inlayed marble-topped desk. His gaze was inscrutable, his mouth outlined in perfect masculine firmness, as he casually lifted two of his fingers up to his regal nose and inhaled. Then he licked the tip of his second finger . . . slowly. That same finger that had touched her–! Gabriella gasped and fled the room before Drummond’s warm, masculine chuckle.  
 

Erotic Ebook Reviews

Fallen Angel Reviewer, Shelly says:

What does a master spy do with his life after his skills are no longer useful? That’s exactly what Drummond Penhurst, Duke of Kittridge and his fellow “Archangels” are discussing in the opening scene of My Lady Compelled. During the war with Napoleon, the Archangels earned a reputation of being the most successful of the Queen’s spies. Now that the war is over and they have time to enjoy life, they realize their lives are lacking. Their conversation turns to female companionship. The friends all agree about the kind of wife they want -one that is a prim and proper, accepted member of the ton, who will act like a courtesan in the bedroom.

Drummond, who is a widower, finds out that Lady Gabriella St. John is to be sold by her husband. Twenty five years earlier, Drummond had been in love with Gabriella, only to have his heart broken when she married another. Being labeled barren and sold by her obnoxious husband was humiliating for Gabriella, until she realizes her benefactor is Drummond. She was also attracted to Drummond in their youth, but was unable to get out of her arranged marriage.

After Drummond pays twenty thousand pounds for her, his stance is that he owns Gabriella and she is to do whatever he says. He has one objective - to wipe away her inhibitions and awaken her passion. Although indignant at first, Gabriella is soon seduced by Drummond’s sexual ministrations. Drummond is overbearing at first, but still shows his softness toward Gabby, calling her “My Love” and showering her with gifts.

My Lady Compelled is the first in the six book “Archangels” series by Shirl Anders. Ms. Anders’ writing style is very much like a classic Regency, but that’s where the comparison ends! The first time we meet Gabrielle, Drummond gives her three climaxes on the desk in his study. The love scenes get even hotter from there. One of the nicest things about this story is that the lovers are mature. Both have lived life and realize what they want for the future.

My Lady Compelled is a wonderful piece of erotic romance. I can’t wait to read the stories about the rest of the Archangels!

Reviewed by: Shelley, Fallen Angel Reviews
 

Just Erotic Reviewer, Vikky Bertling says:

Drummond Penhurst, Duke of Kittridge, was been the ringleader of the, now disbanded, Queen’s Archangels. A group of spy’s that brought about the downfall of Napoleon. Now he is retired and not very happy, he feels at a loss, until he is told about Lady Gabriella St. John’s fate. His lady love in youth, Lady Gabriella is being sold by her husband at a ""wife’s sale"" claiming that she is barren and his mistress pregnant with his heir.
    
Lady Gabriella has never been so humiliated in her life. To be sold! As she thanks God that her old friend and love, Drummond, purchased her, Gabriella learns that he plans to make her completely and solely his! When the truth about her life and what her husband has done starts to unfold, Gabriella and Drummond come to terms and accept their undying love.
    
My Lady Compelled is the first book in the Archangels series. Gabriella is a strong and intelligent woman who lives in a time when women are thought of only as possessions and breeding mares. She fights to maintain control where there is none. Drummond is a dominant male who shows Gabriella what submitting sexually is all about. He also sets in motion Gabriella’s husband’s downfall as punishment for selling her. The love between these two never died despite the fact that circumstances forced Gabriella to marry another. Once the past is laid to rest the happiness and laughter is brought out causing a lightheartedness in the book that makes the reader feel happy. I so enjoyed My Lady Compelled and look forward to reading the other books in this series.

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Heat level: Orgasmic  
Reviewed by Vikky Bertling, Just Erotic Romance Review