The Happiest Day Page 7

  The judge shrugged a little. “So, it’s just her word? Why should we believe her? It seems to me that we should leave that up to a jury.”

  “Under normal circumstances, sir, I would agree with you. If you will allow me, however, to let the young lady speak, I think you will see why her story is so believable.”

  “All right then,” the judge said. “Call her to the stand.”

  Leonard’s chest puffed a little as he celebrated his win. “We call Miss Rachel Warner to the stand.”

  “Shit,” Rachel heard Bert hiss. She closed her eyes briefly, trying to gather courage. She pulled her hand from Maryanne’s, knowing that her friend may never speak to her again.

  She looked at Maryanne and mouthed, “I’m sorry.”

  Maryanne stared at her in confusion. “What’s happening?” she asked, her voice perplexed.

  Rachel walked to the stand, her legs trembling so badly they could hardly hold her. She was sworn in and sat down nervously on the witness stand, sick to her stomach over what she had to do to save Norris. Leonard gave her an encouraging nod and began his line of questioning.

  “Miss Warner, can you tell the court what time you arrived home the night of murders?”

  “About midnight, I believe.”

  “And then what happened?”

  “I had a headache. So I took an aspirin and went to bed.”

  “Was anyone else home when you arrived?”

  “No, sir. The staff had been given the entire night off.”

  “Did you hear Mrs. Thornton arrive home?”

  “No, sir.”

  Leonard took a step closer to the stand and leaned casually against the banister.

  “Miss Warner, how would you describe your relationship with the defendant?”

  Rachel felt another moment of panic, and then pushed it down. This had to be done. “We’re very close. He rescued my brother and me on the night my parents were murdered. He brought us back to his house and has treated us like his own. I’m very grateful to him.” At Leonard’s prompting look, she repeated, “We’re very close.”

  “Miss Warner, is it true that you can verify the whereabouts of the defendant from two a.m. until you both discovered the crime scene?”

  Another glance at Peter. He was shaking his head slowly as if in disbelief that she would sit on a stand and lie. Maryanne, next to him, still not fully understanding, or maybe just accepting, the line of questioning. Geoff’s eyes had grown suddenly wider as if the possibility of what she was about to say had just hit him. Only Bert and Laurie seemed to understand where this all was leading. They both looked uncomfortably apprehensive. There was a pregnant silence throughout the room.

  “Miss Warner?” Leonard prompted.

  “Yes, it’s true. He was in bed with me.”

  The court room exploded and Peter stood, shouting, “That’s a lie!”

  Maryanne cried out, “No!”

  Rachel felt tears press the backs of her eyes as she looked from face to face of her family. Their expressions ranged from disgust to disbelief. She buried her head in her hands, trying to block out the noises.

  “There will be order in this courtroom!” the judge bellowed. “Mr. MacGregor, you above all others should know better. Sit down and be quiet or I’ll have you removed. As for the rest of you, if I hear one more word, I’ll clear this courtroom. Is that understood?”

  The buzz died down instantly.

  “Mr. Winston, do you have further questions for this witness?”

  “Yes, your honor, I do. Miss Warner, why did you take so long to come forward with an alibi for the defendant?”

  Rachel raised her head slowly, tears streaming down her face. “Before the police came, Norris and I decided that we would lie about his whereabouts to protect our secret. We decided to say that I had been alone all night, and he had fallen asleep at the club. We thought that it would never matter. We truly felt that this was a murder-suicide and…no one would ever have to know about us. But when his alibi fell apart and he was arrested, I wanted to come forward. Norris wouldn’t let me. He didn’t want anyone to know about us. Finally, yesterday, I convinced him to let me testify. I just didn’t want him to go through any more of this torture.

  “No further questions, your honor,” Leonard said smugly.

  Within an hour, after Leonard and the prosecutor met with the judge, Norris was freed.

  Rachel waited in the courtroom hallway, sitting alone on a bench. The rest of the family stood huddled away from her, talking fiercely. Finally, Laurie came over and sat down next to her. She thought she would break down in sobs when he placed his arms around her.

  “Why did you lie?” he whispered in her ear.

  She turned her mouth so that she could whisper, “I had to. He saved us once. It was my turn to return the favor.”

  Just then, Laurie was pulled away by Norris, who then enveloped them both in a bear hug. “I love you both so much,” he said, squeezing them tightly to him. He turned and extended one arm to the others, who still held back. Bert approached him first.

  Bert slapped Norris on the back. “Congratulations, old man.” There was no excitement in his voice, however. He looked at Rachel with questioning eyes.

  Geoff also offered his congratulations to them, although subdued. Maryanne, however, stood there, angry tears brimming in her eyes. “How could you?” she demanded of Rachel and her father. “You’ve disgraced this family.”

  “Please, Maryanne,” Rachel began but Maryanne interrupted her.

  “And you,” she spat out. “All those times we talked about what the first time would be like and you were…fornicating…with my father! I don’t ever want to speak to you again.” The tears spilled over and she turned into Bert’s arms. “I hate you, Rachel. I honestly do.”

  “Please, you’re my best friend,” Rachel whispered, her chin trembling. “Please don’t hate me.”

  Maryanne looked at her one last time. “After today, you don’t have any friends. I’ll make sure of that.”

  “Maryanne,” Norris said angrily, “don’t talk to her like that. She saved our family today.”

  Maryanne looked at him with hatred. “You’re a filthy old man. You took the gratitude she felt for you and twisted it until she felt like she owed you something she didn’t. I can’t imagine why else she would have allowed something like this to happen. You should be ashamed of yourself. Bert, let’s go home.”

  Silence fell on the remaining group. Peter had still been standing slightly off, silent.

  Norris looked at him and said, “Well, Peter, do you hate us, too?”

  “I don’t know what you did to convince her to lie on the stand, but I’ll find out.” He turned icy eyes on Rachel. “I’ve never been more ashamed of anyone in my life.”

  It was like a physical blow to Rachel and she cried out. Norris wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against his body. “You have no right to talk to her like that,” Norris bit out. “You’ll either accept our relationship or you have no place in our lives.”

  Peter’s lips turned up in a sneer. “I have no place in your lives, then. Good-bye.” He turned on his heel and strode down the hallway after his sister and Bert. Norris turned to his youngest son. “Geoffrey?”

  “Dad, I support you…and Rachel…no matter what,” Geoff said staunchly. “I don’t understand what’s happened, but I stand behind both of you.”

  Pride filled Norris’ eyes. “You…all three of you…are my pride and joy. Never forget that. I will protect you until my dying breath.” He heaved a relieved sigh. “Let’s go home.”

  Chapter 6

  The next few weeks passed quietly as if everyone was afraid to discuss what had happened. Norris returned to work immediately, focusing on repairing the damage to his reputation by putting out a quality newspaper. Geoff and Laurie amused themselves with normal summer activities although they did not invite any of their friends out to the estate. Rachel confronted her brother.

  “Ar
e you ashamed of me?” she asked.

  “Why should I be?” he countered. “I know you didn’t do what you said you did.”

  “But everyone believes I did, so you have to go along with it. Are you worried about what people think of me?”

  “No,” he said, his cheeks reddening a bit. “I just don’t want anyone out here. I don’t want people to be mean to you.”

  Rachel sighed. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to ruin your summer.”

  “Rae, in case you haven’t noticed, the summer was pretty much ruined when Geoff’s mother was murdered.”

  Rachel felt immediately contrite. “That was unfeeling of me,” she said in apology. “Where is he today?”

  “He went into the city to have lunch with Maryanne.”

  Rachel’s heart fell. Her best friend had not talked to her since the day at the courthouse. “Have you seen her?”

  “A couple of times,” he admitted. “She’s sad. It’s hard to spend time with her.”

  “Well, do your best. She needs family right now.”

  “So do you.”

  Rachel’s eyes filled with tears. “You are my family. You’re all I have left.”

  Laurie moved restlessly from where he sat in a wingback chair. “Why can’t we tell everyone the truth, Rachel?”

  “Because I made a promise to Norris. Nothing will ever get me to break that promise, Laurie. We owe this to him.” She sat down next to him on the neighboring chair. “I feel so lost, Laurie. I feel as alone as the night Mama and Papa died.”

  “You always have God with you.”

  She arched her eyebrows and looked at him. “You sound like Norris now.”

  He chuckled a little. “Is it so bad to have faith?”

  “No, I guess not. I just seem to be falling short on faith right now.”

  “I’ve been spending a lot of time in the chapel. It gives me time to think and reflect. It’s peaceful.”

  “I’m glad you are able to find some peace,” she said sincerely. “I don’t think I’ll ever feel that way again.”

  “Have you talked to Peter?” he asked tentatively.

  “No,” she said, her heart dropping even further. “He hates me.”

  “He doesn’t hate you. He’s just hurt. He’ll come around. You’re too important to him.”

  “When did you get so smart?” Rachel asked, reaching out with her foot and kicking him gently. “I’m going to go for a ride. Want to come?”

  “Always,” he responded with a grin. “Let’s go.”

  She adored her brother. He was sweet and giving and always easy to be with. Her relationship with Norris was much more complicated. She was uncomfortable and withdrawn around him and he gave her space. The weeks went by slowly and before she was ready, it was time for Geoff and Laurie to return to school. She would be alone with Norris.

  They saw the boys off at the train station and she clung to her brother tearfully. “I’ll miss you.”

  “I’ll miss you, too,” he answered, squeezing her tightly. “Rachel, don’t let anyone make you feel less than who you are. Promise me?”

  Again, she was startled at the maturity of her little brother. He seemed to have found a way to deal with tragedies that had befallen them. She wished she could experience just one small portion of what he had found.

  “I promise. Have a good semester. We’ll see you at the holidays.”

  Geoff gave her a brief hug and the two young men headed to board the train. They were talking and laughing as they walked and Rachel was glad that they were happy and excited to return to school. At the platform, they turned and gave an identical wave to her and Norris. Rachel inhaled a little in surprise. She had never realized how much like each other they looked. Both were tall for their age and lean, shining blond hair, and matching smiles below their same-shade blue eyes. They looked enough alike to be brothers.

  “Norris…” she began, but didn’t know what else to say.

  He looked at her and saw the look on her face. He looked uncomfortable suddenly and gently touched her elbow. “Let’s go get some lunch.”

  “I don’t want to go out in public,” she demurred. “I’m afraid we might see someone we know.”

  His eyes filled with sympathy. “I’m sorry, Rachel.”

  “It’s all right. I did what I had to do.”

  “Let’s go home then. We’ll have a fine lunch there. There’s something I want to discuss with you.”

  They talked lightly during the meal about general topics and Rachel felt some of her discomfort with him dissipate. This was the man she had known her whole life, her protector and white knight. She couldn’t regret anything she had done, not if it protected him as he had protected her.

  Lunch finished, he sipped his coffee. His bright blue eyes studied her over the rim of his cup.

  “I want you to go pack a suitcase.”

  Rachel drew back in shock. “A suitcase? For what? Are you kicking me out?”

  Norris laughed and came to squat in front of the chair where she sat. “Never. I’m taking you on a trip. How would you like to go to Europe?”

  “Norris, you can’t mean it.”

  “I do mean it. We need to get away from all of this. Let’s book a cruise liner to Europe. The paper is back on its feet, so we’ll stay as long as we want. Tour the continent.”

  “What will people say?”

  “What can they say? When we come back, you’ll be Mrs. Norris Thornton and that will shut everyone’s mouths for good.”

  He couldn’t have shocked her more. “You…you want to marry me?”

  He looked just as surprised in return. “Rachel, of course we’ll be married. Did you expect I was going to let you sit on that stand and scandalize yourself without making an honest woman of you?”

  “But…but you haven’t mentioned this before.”

  “I needed to get things smoothed out at work before we could leave. I’m sorry, I thought you understood my intentions when I asked you to testify for me. You must marry me.”

  She thought of Peter then immediately dismissed the thought. He would probably never speak to her again. No other reputable man would be seen with her now. To marry Norris would ensure her security and safety and may go a long way to repairing the damage to her reputation. To marry Norris, on the other hand, was a frightening prospect. To go from girlhood crush, to guardian and protector, to husband would take some getting used to.

  “You’re thinking too much,” he teased, brushing her honey-colored bangs away from her eyes. “Is the thought of being my wife so very hard to accept? I love you, I know you love me…nothing has to change.”

  Her eyes flew to his. “Some things will change.” A blush colored her face.

  He stilled for a moment, the smile leaving his face. Then he took her hand in his and said in a low voice, “Does that frighten you? The thought of being with me? I wouldn’t rush you, we could grow into it…if you’re willing to try.”

  He was so very handsome and sophisticated. Women were always chasing after Norris. She remembered back to the days when she thought he was a handsome prince and someday she would marry him. She had been a child, though…now she was an adult and knew at least some of what happened between men and women. She leaned forward and pressed her lips against his. It was an experiment. She wanted to see if the feeling was repulsive, almost incestuous. She heard his quick intake of breath and he leaned in to return the kiss. The lips continued to move together in a gentle, exploratory mating. It felt good, warm and loving. It was not the way she had felt that night at Peter’s apartment, with hot blood coursing through her veins, feeling wild and out of control, but kissing Norris was comforting and…nice.

  She pulled away and whispered, “I think I would be willing to try.”

  He gave a small laugh and pulled her to her feet, leading her into his study.

  He let go of her hand and strode over to the wall safe. After opening it, he rummaged through it and pulled out a velvet box. He brought it
back to her and knelt on one knee. He opened the box and pulled out a stunning emerald cut diamond.

  “Rachel...”

  “Norris, that didn’t belong to Helen, did it?”

  He laughed in surprise. “God no! This belonged to my grandmother. She hated Helen. Made me promise on her deathbed that I would never give her this ring. I fully intended to give it to Maryanne as a present but you see how crazy everything got. I’m glad I still have it, because now it’s yours.” He slid it on her finger and started again, “Rachel, will you do me the extreme honor of becoming my wife?”

  She looked from the stunning ring to the dazzling blue of Norris’ eyes. “I will,” she said with quiet conviction and for the first time in over ten years, felt utterly safe. No one could ever hurt her again.

  Across town, the next afternoon found Peter and Bert working quietly in their law office. Suddenly, Peter let out a frustrated groan and Bert looked up in question.

  “I just don’t get it,” Peter said, pounding his fist on the desk. “Why would she lie?”

  Bert’s eyebrows flew up in surprise. Peter had refused to speak of what had happened. Three months had gone by and Bert was glad to see that his best friend was finally willing to open up and admit his frustration and hurt. He leaned back in the chair. “What makes you so sure she’s lying?”

  “I know she wasn’t with him from two until five because she was with me.”

  The legs of Bert’s chair came down with a loud thud. “What did you just say?”

  “She was with me. We left the reception that night and went back to my apartment.”

  “And?” Bert prompted, his jaw tight.

  “And what? You’re afraid I slept with her, aren’t you?” Peter asked angrily.

  “I just need to hear you say you didn’t.”

  “She offered and I turned her down. Surprised?”

  “No. You’re not as much as a bastard as you like to pretend you are, especially when it comes to Rachel. So what happened next?”

  “I woke her up around four-thirty and drove her home.”

  “Did you go in?”