Rosalind Schuyler thought she was going to have a nice life with her loving father and her handsome fiancé, David. Then her father passes away and David suddenly breaks off the engagement, leaving her in the care of a guardian who demands she marry creepy Nicholas Lennox, who proves to be a murderer and after her family fortune. Altering her appearance to that of a man going by the name of Frank Carstairs, an extremely good poker player, Rosalind flees her guardian. She takes to the waterfront because everyone knows she's afraid of the water and wouldn't look for her there. If she can stay hidden until her 25th birthday, a whole year away, then she can claim her inheritance without a husband.

Very handsome Hal Lindsay makes his fortune as a river boat pilot. Even though he comes from a wealthy family, he refuses any help from them. Due to his upbringing, Hal also refuses to marry and have children, sure that he'll abuse his children like his own father did and his father's father did.

While at a poker party, Hal's offer to give Frank a ride back to town proves to be Rosalind's worst fear -- he's recognized her for who she really is. However, Hal offers to help her flee one of his greatest enemies, Nick Lennox. With the river boat completely booked, Hal comes up with a plan for "Frank" to become his cub. That way a cot can be placed in his room for appearances, while he shares his bed with Rosalind at night.

With Hal's sister, Viola, her husband, William, in addition to his parents on this trip, Rosalind and Hal take every precaution to keep her identity a secret. Everything is working out wonderfully until Hal and William hear Lennox is in the area. They have to go after him and port in Omaha on a hunch he'll be there. When Hal says he and Rosalind are going to wed before they conduct their portion of the search, Rosalind bolts thinking Hal is just like the others and after her money. Her only hope is to ruin Lennox on her own and get Hal and William what they want. She does so in a friendly game of poker.

Hal comes to realize that what he feels for Rosalind is love. But he has no way of finding her to explain that he wants her for his wife, not for her money.

This is a great story, very romantic and suspenseful. With Rosalind on the run, I expected her to get caught by Lennox at every turn, or to be recognized for what she truly was. For much of the story, my heart was pounding, and I couldn't breathe due to anticipation of what was going to happen next. I highly recommend THE RIVER DEVIL.