Previously: Man in the Red Underwear is a pastiche of prose and poetry with hints of parody of Zorro and The Scarlet Pimpernel and a dash of social satire on gender roles and class mores. Cecelia throws her annual society ball, where former lovers Andy and Bedelia meet.
Andy nodded and took a few steps toward the fireplace. “I miss Bedelia desperately. And I hate this masquerade. It’s turned her against me.”
“But it’s necessary to delude the chief inspector into thinking you’re no threat to him.” Millicent tried to console him.
“I know, but Bedelia thinks I’m—“
“Happy?” Eddie interjected.
“That’s not quite the word we’re thinking of.” Millicent raised an eyebrow.
“Since I have opened my dress shop in Soho I have been able to ingratiate myself to the baker next door. I buy all his pastries at the end of the day to hand them out to the children on the street. He agreed to include in his extortion packet a note to the chief inspector asking for a delay in the next payment. He will carefully detail the entire operation. One of Tent’s henchmen will pick up the packet tonight and if I’m not mistaken he will deliver to him right here at the party. If we can get our hands on that packet, we can put the inspector away.”
“Where?” Eddie asked innocently.
“What?” Andy wrinkled his brow.
“You said you wuz goin’ to put the inspector away. Away where?
“Hopefully, the Tower of London,” Millicent replied.
Eddie nodded. “Oh. I’ve had some relatives there.”
“But why do you think it will be delivered here?” Millicent inquired.
“I have discreetly followed the henchman from the bakery after he picked up the payment, and he has always gone directly to Tent. Since Tent is here tonight, I think the henchman will be knocking at your door any second.”
“That makes sense,” Millicent agreed.
“Yeah, and prob’ly pounds too.” Eddie nodded vigorously. “Maybe a few crowns and farthings.”
Andy and Millicent turned to glower at him. He cowered like a whipped puppy.
“I’m sorry.”
Andy shook his head and continued talking to Millicent. “Do you think we should bring your mother in on our plan?”
“Oh no,” Millicent replied. “She loves to gossip. She’d tell everyone she’s working undercover for the Queen of England.”
“Wull, whut kind of work could she do under the bedcovers?” Eddie made another valiant effort to be part of the conversation.
“Eddie, will you please shut up!” Millicent immediately regretted snapping at her beau, and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, which brightened his face considerably.