“He gets his fine features from his grandfather,” Detta said with a loving glance at Wolf. “And also his concern and rage when someone he loves is harmed.” She turned to Raven, her words a challenge to her to deny them. “Wolf is a good, honorable man.”
Raven had no trouble responding, “I’m learning that and more about him, but I’m more curious as to how so many could keep your secret?”
“They understood the importance of holding their tongues until told otherwise,” Detta said.
Raven thought of her friend. “And was it just as important you not say anything to Oria, your granddaughter, in the five years she lived here?”
Sorrow filled Detta’s eyes. “A regrettable but necessary situation, which I plan to rectify when she visits next, though I am grateful for the time I got to spend with her. She is a brave woman and has a kind heart and soul.”
Anger sparked in Raven. “Your intent to reclaim your land caused my family to suffer loss, heartache, and almost destroyed them, including Oria.”
“Land and titles are constantly being manipulated, given and taken, in the name of power or greed, or to benefit those already in power. My mother’s family occupied this land and surrounding land, including the area you claim as home, for over a hundred years and her mother before her and her mother before her and so on. It has been passed down through women, strong women who made sure the land remained ours. It was my fault the land was lost. I fell in love with a Northman. My father disavowed me when he discovered I was carrying a Northman’s bairn. He made sure my heirs would never get what was rightfully theirs by rewarding pieces of my family’s land to other clans in return for favors and benefits or simply for what wealth they could surrender until only Learmonth was left for any heir of mine to claim. I had to sneak into my home when my mother laid dying. I promised her then that I would see our land returned to us. I couldn’t fail her. I couldn’t lose what so many women before me sacrificed and fought to keep.”
Raven thought of her own promise to her brothers and the things she had done to keep it. How could she blame Detta for keeping her promise when she had done the same?
“You know as well as I do that only the strong survive the harsh dictates of this land and those who rule it,” Detta said. “I was proud to see my granddaughter, Oria, do what endless women in my family have done before her, fight to survive, and unlike other women in my family who had no choice, Oria kept hope and love alive for the man promised to her, the man she loved. She reclaimed what rightfully belonged to her without ever knowing it.”
“You must have been pleased when she wed Burnell,” Raven said.
“Not at all.” Detta shook her head. “That wasn’t part of the plan, though the man she claims as her father showed how much he loved his daughter by marrying her to Burnell to keep her safe. I wasn’t happy that Burnell saw it done before I could stop it. Both men protected her well.” After a short pause, she continued to explain. “Burnell was a distant cousin of mine on my father’s side. He was never a strong man. When his two marriages bore him no heirs, I approached him and reminded him that Wolf was the true heir to Learmonth.”
“So you left him little choice,” Raven said.
“I left him to right a wrong,” Detta corrected. “I am truly sorry for what happened to your brothers and father and others in your clan. It was never meant to go that way. Needless bloodshed was never intended.”
She believed the woman, though she might not have if Wolf hadn’t told her that Scotland’s King had gotten involved in his plan, insisting men be taken to fight for him. In return, he voiced no opposition to Wolf’s plans.
“It took you five years to return to your home, your family, and your friends,” Detta said. “It took me over fifty years to see my home and land returned to my family. We’re both home now and I hope peace can exist between us all.”
Raven stood. “I’ll think about it.” She turned and walked out of the common room.
“Let her be for now,” Detta cautioned, seeing the concern on her grandson’s pinched face. “She needs some time to digest it all.”
Wolf would have preferred to go to his wife, but his grandmother was right. Raven needed time alone to think. He’d be better off waiting until tonight when they were alone in their bedchamber to discuss this with her.
“I see love in your eyes for your wife,” Detta said, placing a gentle hand on her grandson’s arm. “And I am more than pleased that I see love in her eyes for you as well. You make a good pair, both stubborn and brave. She is a good wife for you. You will do well together.”