Color Me Bad — Olivia Waite

John Rushmore has all but given up on his talents as a painter, unable to recapture the passion of earlier days. He is pleased to have his boredom lightened by the appearance of a redheaded thief -- and even more delighted to be introduced to her the following night in an elegant Society ballroom. Miss Hecuba Jones is in pursuit of the paintings that make up her rightful inheritance. She is prickly and suspicious and absolutely irresistible. She's also an inspiration. Before long, John finds himself working deep into the night to try to capture the feverish, erotic visions she provokes.

Soon they reach an agreement. John will trade the four paintings she attempted to steal for four portraits of Hecuba herself. Intimate nights and candlelight soon transform artistic pleasures into physical ecstasy -- until old family secrets and a blossoming scandal threaten to shatter their fragile liaison.