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.
