The Lord Won't Mind (The Peter & Charlie Trilogy) by Gordon Merrick Read Free Book Online

roving hands grew more purposeful, Charlie called a firm halt.
    “It’s time to get dressed. C. B. expects me every evening at six. Anyway, we’ve got the whole night ahead of us. I’ve never been worn down by sex yet, but then I’ve never been with anyone like you before.”
    “I’ve got a lot of lost time to make up for,” Peter giggled.
    Charlie noted with approval the playfulness, an emulation perhaps of his own carefully imposed casual approach. Peter allowed himself to be dispatched to his own room. Charlie dressed. He was almost finished when Peter returned. Charlie’s face fell. He was wearing a seersucker suit that was shapeless and baggy, his saddle shoes were scuffed, his tie was twisted, and his collar was too tight.
    “You’ve got to pay more attention to the way you dress,” he scolded. “You don’t do yourself justice.”
    Peter blushed. “I was hurrying. Anyway, my family doesn’t give me much money for clothes.”
    “Well, what’s the point in our being twins? Come on. Take all that off, and we’ll dress you properly.” Peter stripped down to his jockey shorts while Charlie went to his closet. He had an ample wardrobe, largely provided by C. B. He went through it selecting things he thought would suit Peter. “We didn’t get as far as our feet, but they look about the same. Try these.” He handed over socks, trousers, shoes, shirt, and light silk jacket as Peter put them on. “C. B doesn’t insist on ties for dinner. Try this scarf.”
    When he was finished, Peter stood self-consciously, an expectant little smile playing around his lips.
    “My goodness.” Charlie surveyed him with possessive pride. The clothes made him an extension of himself, his creation. He felt an identity with him so close that they might have been wearing each other’s skin. “I certainly wouldn’t let you out of my sight when you’re looking like that.”
    “Am I all right?”
    “You sure are.”
    They laughed together, their eyes swimming deep into each other, and left the room and went down to C. B., touching hands secretly while the coast was clear. She threw up her hands when they appeared on the veranda.
    “Good heavens. What a stunning pair.” She rose and took each by the hand so that they were obliged to stand shoulder to shoulder, and looked searchingly from one to the other. She nodded her head with satisfaction. “I was right. You are very alike. I thought I’d been mistaken at lunch. Stunning. Come. Let’s have a drink.”
    She released them and went to a table laid out as a bar. She favored fanciful concoctions. Charlie drank little, and Peter refused anything when asked. “Oh, come, now.” She turned to him with a winning smile, a hostess so concerned for her guests’ well-being that it would have been unthinkable to resist her. “You must have something. A man looks so comfortable with a drink in his hand.”
    “All right. I’ll take anything you’re having.”
    She turned back to the bar. “Where’s my grenadine? It must be in the cupboard in the dining room. Dearest, would you get it for me? Henry’s out watering the hydrangeas.”
    Recognizing that the request was directed at him, Charlie went. As he was crossing the living room, she pattered up behind him and took his arm. “I had to talk to you,” she said in conspiratorial tones. “I don’t know what you’ve done to him, but I’ve never seen such a transformation. Just since lunch. He has so much more poise. And such style. Are those your clothes? What a brilliant idea to dress him. His little things are so sad. He obviously worships you. Don’t discourage him. I know how hurt one can be at that age.”
    “There’s nothing to discourage. He’s very nice.”
    “Then you do like him? I’m so glad. You’re a dear. Thank you for being kind to him.”
    “He’s not as young as you think,” Charlie said, a defensive note creeping into his voice.
    “Isn’t he? You’re both supremely young. It’s the best