A Jewel So Rare — Elizabeth Ann Michaels

A lifetime of love -- was it all behind her? -- As the French Revolution raged, lovely young Annalese Renneau was sent by her beloved parents to safety in Virginia, where a twist of fate made her companion to an elderly widow. There she instantly won Flora's affection -- but lived under the brooding gaze of the lady's arrogant nephew. In time, Annalese's gentle, spirited ways kindled love in the stony wilderness of Cameron Slade's heart, too. But as she awakened to desire, her happiness was shattered by the arrival of a vile scoundrel from the past demanding a fortune in diamonds he swore she possessed...

Frightened and trapped by her tormentor, who exacted secrecy in exchange for her parent's lives, she was scorned and abandoned by Cameron, who believed himself betrayed. Now Annalese would risk everything with one faint hope -- that bound by the trust and love they shared, Cameron would return to reclaim his priceless treasure, unable to deny... A Jewel So Rare