Sabelle

Sabelle is an appropriate nickname for Sattler's ( Promise of Fire ) Regency heroine Lady Isabelle Corstairs: her absurd antics prove that she, like her first name, isn't all there. Sabelle, savior of hunted and abused animals, wants to liberate the birds of Robert Ormley. So she and her maid Jeannie dress up like prostitutes to gain access to Robert. Justin Hart, who accompanies Robert, fancies the masked Sabelle. Playing her role almost to the limit, she protests when Justin tries to actually bed her, but he ignores her cries. In an escalating plan of revenge she plans to woo and then abandon Justin at the altar; upon learning that his mistress is untroubled by his impending marriage, Sabelle decides to marry Justin and let him discover that his bride is not a virgin. As the scheme plays out, resulting in a livid husband who may indeed continue with his mistress, Sabelle gets angry and runs away. Justin, not knowing when he's well off, swears he'll find her. Sattler's brainless heroine has plenty of company. Even Shelly and Byron, making cameo appearances as friends of Justin, are portrayed as intellectual featherweights. (May)