Sally Hemings didn't accompany Jefferson to France, she was sent later to accompany Jefferson'sm youngest white daughter Maria/Polly when Sally was 14. Sally could have petitioned France for her freedom, pitting her against one of the most powerful Americans in France. Jefferson had the ability to punish her entire extended family including her mother if she didn't do as he said. She may have been pregnant at the time she had to make her choice.

How Jefferson may have felt about her doesn't mean he didn't rape her. He was a 44 year-old man having sex with a 14-year old who couldn't say no. Love or not, it was rape by any definition.