October 8, 1871 -- One small spark ignites the entire city of Chicago, sending its residents into panic. But amid the chaos, a case of mistaken identity leads to an unexpected new love.
As the historic fire ignites across town, Kathleen O'Leary finds herself dressed in borrowed diamonds and silk, enjoying a lavish masquerade. The penniless maid has caught the eye of Dylan Francis Kennedy, the rich, handsome gentleman all of high society has been speculating about. The night feels alive with magic. . . and ripe with promise.
Then fire sweeps through the city, cornering the young lovers with no hope of rescue. Desperate to share their last moments together, Kathleen and Dylan impulsively marry. Incredibly, they survive. Now, as the fire burns down to cold ash, Kathleen must tell Chicago's most eligible bachelor that he has married a fraud. But the joke's on her. For this gentleman is no gentleman. While Kathleen had hoped to win Dylan's love, he had planned only to capture her heart and steal her fortune. Dylan Kennedy -- con artist, gambler and ne'er-do-well—has been unwittingly caught in his own game. Now the real sparks are about to fly.
This is the second book in the Chicago Fire trilogy. I thought it was better than The Hostage. I'm looking forward to reading the third book. This is the story about a beautiful poor Irish girl who poses as a wealthy socialite one evening, and Chicago's most eligible wealthy bachelor falls in love with her. But wait... he is actually a con man who is posing as well. It's a good romantic readable tale! I've just discovered Susan Wiggs and plan to read all of her books.
She is dressed for the masquerade party. He is a con man. The town catches fire and the two, thinking there is nothing left marrry but little do they know each other are not what they seem.