Teatime with Amos Ravensworth,

from The Sovereign Liberty series

by T. Elizabeth Renich

I’m so glad you’ve joined me today for a special afternoon tea. I’ve got a cup of Darjeeling Autumnal, a tray full of shortbread cookies, cucumber sandwiches, and scones with the requisite clotted cream and jam. Help yourself to anything you like and whatever beverage makes the day perfect.

Today, it is my personal joy to introduce you to Amos Ravenscroft. I always enjoy getting to know characters outside of the books they’re in, and Amos is no exception.

In addition to getting to know the character, T. Elizabeth Renich is giving away a print copy of A Declaration of Hope to one lucky U.S. resident. You’ll find the details at the end of this post, but don’t miss the interview!

Let’s dive in!

Let’s dive into our Speedy Six

CC: Invisible or read minds?

AMOS: Invisible. It’s my job to stay out of sight, especially when carrying dispatches.

CC: Carriage trip or ship?

AMOS: Because I’ll inherit a shipping company one day, I’ve spent a fair amount of time on schooners and have crossed the Atlantic multiple times.

CC: Fancy restaurant or home-cooked meal?

AMOS: Serenity makes the best Chelsea-style buns as a sweet treat. Mostly when she needs something from me.

A Taste of A Declaration of Hope

Let’s Get to Know Amos Ravenscroft

CC: Before we start diving too deep…

Please introduce yourself to our guests.

AMOS: I’m my mother’s fourth son, and being the youngest, my father’s estate would by law go to the eldest brother, leaving me with nothing but what I could earn through trade. A long-time family friend who sired no son of his own decided to adopt me when I was eight years old, and one day I will inherit his business interests. I am closest to my sister, Serenity, and I love horses—almost as much as I love Jessa Northcraft. I once played a fiddle duet with a well-known Virginia burgess in Williamsburg, at Christiana Campbell’s Tavern—he had a way with words. When I was young, my brother-in-law used to tease me that I was no good at keeping secrets, but as I’ve grown into my majority, I have become one of the most trustworthy couriers the Virginia Committee of Correspondence and delegates rely upon to carry important information to General Washington’s encampments. With the war on, every day holds a new challenge. We have a Declaration of Independence, but the fight with the British to gain our freedom still rages.

CC: That sounds like an interesting and dangerous job you have… and a very important one.

What do you want and what is standing in your way?

AMOS: I want Jessa to hurry up and get older. You see, she’s a bit younger than I am, and her mama wants us to wait before entering into any kind of betrothal. Every time I get sent with orders to ride, it gives me room to breathe—I can hardly breathe when she’s about—and I don’t like being separated from her so often. I think it scares her, because she knows what could happen if I were captured. Her brother, my friend Asher, has no objection to the match and insists it will be inevitable. I confess, the impatience is starting to wear thin.

CC: Ah. The passions and impatience of young love. 

If you had time to read a book, what would you pick?

AMOS: After I finished my general education at William & Mary, Mr. Wythe became my tutor. I spent long hours studying both volumes of Blackstone’s Commentaries on the Laws of England—because we have a similar legal system here in Virginia. Serenity used to read to me, but my escape and enjoyment came more from playing fiddle tunes or carving trinkets for Jessa than reading books.

CC: Sounds like you might make a good lawyer in Virginia, and a great leader as the new country forms itself.

As the fourth son, what was your childhood like?

AMOS: My mother died shortly after she gave birth to me. Serenity took over mothering duties and kept on even after Grandee came to live with us. My father was ill, and he went away to Italy for a climate less damp than England’s. Becoming the heir to Kerrigan Shipping changed what my life could have been, and for that, I am grateful.

CC: It sounds like you had a very difficult family situation. You and your sister must be very close.

Doing what you do must come with many difficulties. Who or what scares you the most?

AMOS: I am going to have to confront Serenity’s husband for choices he has made. He claims he loves her and never wanted to hurt her. He broke her heart, and if I ever find him again, well, the Almighty just might have to send some heavenly intervention.

CC: Yikes. I’m glad she has you to protect her, but how sad that you feel you must intervene. 

How do you think others view you?

AMOS: I am tallest of all the Ravensworth brothers, so the older ones can’t look down on me anymore. Serenity was slow to accept I had grown beyond the little boy years, even after my voice changed and she had to crane her neck to meet my eyes. She wanted very much to keep our family all together, but instead it scattered. She didn’t want me to come to America by myself, and we learned to love the Colonies. Now, she and Jessa see me as reliable and dependable, and both of them are quite proud of me. But it pains me to have to withhold information from them on occasion. Military secrets, or otherwise.

CC: It sounds like they really are the two most important women in your life. I’m glad they have you.

A Sweet Finish

CC: Unfortunately, it is time to wrap up our interview. I always love finishing with a fun question.

What is the weirdest thing on your bucket list? 

AMOS: I have yet to earn the title of “Uncle Amos” —if that happens, it means Sis has a child, and that would mean a dream come true for her—and a miracle has taken place.

CC: I’ve just recently become an aunt after thinking my brother would never get that blessing. I understand what you mean and hope she gets her miracle baby…and it sounds like reconciliation with her husband.

That’s it for now. If you enjoyed getting to know Amos Ravenscroft and are curious about their journey, I highly recommend you check out A Devoted Hope. Before we clear the table and pack away the tea stuff, I have a question for you.

What do you think would have been the hardest part of living during the American Revolution?

Leave your comment below and join the teatime fun. Until next time, may your days be filled with good books and cups of tea (or your favorite beverage)!

T. Elizabeth Renich is the author of six historical novels set against America’s Revolution and Civil War. She worked for two NFL teams and has visited all fifty United States of America. International travels have taken her to Germany, Japan, Ireland, Israel, Scotland, and England. She hunts historical markers and shares hope as an ovarian cancer survivor. Her love of photography is evident in albums documenting research trips and life in general, illustrating how she gives glory to God for the great things He has done.

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Giveaway Details

Here’s your chance to win a copy of A Devoted Hope. Comment on the blog and enter using the Google Form below for your chance to win! Entries close at 11:59 EST on 8/20. Open to legal U.S. residents. see Giveaway Policies for more details.