The Golden Rose — Donna Oltrogge

After the death of Rose Marie Le Sant's parents, Count Francois de Vallier becomes obsessed with his eighteen year old niece and thoughts of the vast fortune that she will inherit on her twenty-first birthday. But eighteen year old Rose Marie has other ideas and runs away, arriving in Marseilles and stowing away aboard a clipper ship bound for America.

The Captain of the Raven was captivated as well as frustrated by the beautiful, impetuous Rose Marie. From the moment Ross Chandler found her stowed away aboard his ship, he had desired her. But there had been other beautiful women in his life before, women who had betrayed him and Ross had vowed never to risk his heart again, not even for Rose Marie.

Ross and Rose Marie sail to San Francisco where they find love amongst the ruins of the shattered city. The Count is not far behind, though, and more determined than ever to have Rose Marie back under his control again, no matter the cost.