White, frozen blankets of snow cloak the countryside in winter. The trees on the landscape stand out like skeletons, except for the ice hanging from their branches. The icy prisms and dangling crystals are like Heaven's glitter on the frosty world below. In the quiet stillness and thick frigid air, nothing is awake. Everything is asleep, waiting for signs of life. Winter has a way of settling erratic fires within.

It's said that we live in the moment. That the past is always gone, and each day is a gift-something new. An instrument for moving into a future we dream of, even in the coldest of times. The soul rests in that sleek, bleak mid-winter cushioned in feathery bluster. For some, the soul stays frozen like a lake or river, perfectly gift-wrapped for spring to open. Inside that icy tundra is a loveliness that's been safely protected, existence waiting to be stirred and inspired.

After a tumultuous winter, spring came. And with it, the sun rose, bestowing its brilliance and vibrant hues on the world as if in a dream. Like everything that's frozen, a significant thawing took place. Because at the bottom of every frozen heart is a garden waiting to bloom where love is abundant. As music is to the soul, the ice melts and is welcomed by the colorful entourage. Where flowers bloom, so does hope.

Life for Edward Seymour is cold. Growing up, his world became one of academia and strict instruction. Unlike his younger brothers, Edward had no time for play. Being the heir, it was always books, books, and more lessons than any young man could ever think to acquire. Overall, literature and learning were his best friends.

Edward was, perhaps, a bit naive, especially regarding the affairs of the heart. When the heart calls, the spirit answers. Edward has never been the most emotional of men, far from it. He's always relied on his intellect to carry him where his emotions failed. His logic helped him to obtain an ascension of rank and nobility in the King's court, much to his favor and prosperity.

Edward recalls each new title: Constable, knight, ambassador, esquire, a gentleman of the privy chamber, Captain and Governor of Jersey, Chancellor of north Wales, and the highest title of record to date- Viscount Beauchamp of Hache. Those are all well and good, but the thing that is a blight to his merits is the matter of his wife.

He thought that, given time, the relationship with Catherine could bloom into love. However, that sentiment was put to rest with an untimely affair coupled with a move to the convent. Now all that's left is abhorrence and a remarkable hostility to his father, along with the legitimacy of his sons, called into question. In other words, the woman has left Edward in a terrible position. And his heart is as crippled as it ever was.

Unfortunately, he is in want of a wife and in need of reclaiming his virtue and standing in society. As heir to the Seymour estate, it is imperative to bequeath his own heirs in the world. Not finances, estate management, nobility duties, or court responsibilities produce as much heartburn as wooing a woman. The whole thing creates massive head pain.

Edward's younger sister, Dorothy, has taken to nettling him as she sees fit. "To lose love is a horrid thing," she says. One would think that would be enough, but no. Dollie continues, "But to turn away from it, Edward, is unbearable. Will you spend the rest of your life replaying the outcome in your head? Or will you ever open yourself up to love anyone again? Will you stay so closed off?"

He tries to ignore her words, but in the quiet, they replay over and over again like an annoying owl hooting outside the window. Regrettably, all Edward has is quiet because he's usually holed up in the downstairs Wolf Hall office. The truth is, he would not dare to enter a marriage with Catherine again. Knowing what he knows now, it's better to be single and alone than to live with shame and emptiness of the heart.

And then, one day, Edward's marital misfortune changed. It started with a summons to court from his new brother-in-law, the King of England. Unlike dear Jane, the Viscount knows precisely what Henry is like- a boar of a man. However, that man is powerful, and what the King wants, the King gets. And he wanted sweet Jane Seymour. Who was Edward to stand in the way?

So, when the summons arrived, the whole household stood on edge. Everyone from the lowest servant of the stables to the youngest sibling living at home wondered what His Majesty could want. All the letter said was for Edward to be at court posthaste, signed by His Majesty King Henry.

Dollie took the message and scrutinized it. She eloquently said, as only a sister could, "Lord! It could be anything. Well, we need to get you packed and on the road. You'll need to bring your best doublets. It wouldn't do for you to look like some ill-bred bumpkin. Our house doesn't need a bad reflection with our sister, the Queen."

As much as Edward loves his little sister, he wishes she'd marry. He made a mental note to add that to his list of things to do- find Dorothy a husband. While Dollie had the servants ready her brother's trunks, Edward combed through his books. After all, no companion is as loyal and trustworthy as a book. He read literature like one would devour food and drink water to live.

Once the books and trunks were stowed onto the carriage, Edward reviewed the running of Wolf Hall with Dollie and the head steward of the house, Mister Greene. He gave his sister and steward a parchment of items that needed to be done that week. Dollie looked at it and exclaimed, "This is at least a foot long. You expect all of these things to be done?"

Edward wrinkled his nose as if he smelled something foul, saying, "Of course. Besides, Mister Greene will administer the majority of it."

The more Dollie studied the list, the more her eyes grew as large as the rim of their late mother's teacup. She shook her head and told him, "Edward, all this work cannot be good for the soul. All you do is work, work, work. You cannot do a good job if your job is all you do. Running the estate is not your life. Thoughts are not your life. Books are not your life. Life is happening all around you, brother. When are you going to live it?"

Edward huffed out a breath and reminded his sister, "Dollie, a good reputation is an invaluable asset. The best way to gain that is by having balanced record-keeping, a vast skillset, reliability, and being able to improve the lives of others. If Wolf Hall fell, so would the tenants, the county, the province, and our family. So be a good sister and follow the list."

With those words, Edward gave instructions to Mister Greene. Then he picked up his cloak and went to the carriage, where he said goodbye to Dollie. As the carriage pulled out of the drive, Edward called out of the window, "Follow the list!"

The ride to Whitehall Palace was not as pleasant as it could have been. For one thing, the trip started on the wrong foot when Edward realized he had left his favorite book at home. Instead of reading about the Medieval mind, it was full steam ahead into a discourse on the bright new age. The other thing troubling the Viscount is the matter of the King's summons.

For all Edward knew, Wolf Hall's finances were in order along with the province's. The taxes had been paid, and no legal matters were lying in wait on some clerk's desk. Plus, it had been some weeks since he had been called to council duty. So, the Viscount is thoroughly bewildered, which does not sit well with him.

In fact, all of this worrying and concern is causing him great stress. That is generating a slight case of heartburn. It made him break out the mint candy from a tin in the food basket. Life currently feels like fire in the throat and knots in the stomach, which is how he recognizes himself. They've been his constant companions for some years now.

Trying to take his mind off the His Majesty, Edward settled onto the seat for some light reading. It was on the page of a "gleaming new Rome" that the Viscount's eyes grew heavy. A large hand with neatly trimmed fingernails raked over his mustache face to keep him awake. However, life decided it needed a pause.

A bump in the road caused Edward to awaken from a lovely dream. But like any dream of his, it's all wishful thinking. It's not as if the perfect woman will drop from the sky and somehow end up in his arms, whereby her tender caress soothes his soul. That's why they're called sweet dreams. It only happens while asleep.

Edward rubbed at his face and noted from the window that they were near Whitehall. He did not intend to nap the whole way, but sometimes it's needed. As the carriage approached the city, the Viscount packed away the book, the blanket, and various snacks. He wore his winter cloak and ensured the livery collar was in place, then attempted to fix his hair with lively fingers.

Once the carriage stopped outside the palace, Edward disembarked and was met by the Queen and her retinue. He noticed his dear sister looked well. However, her meeting him outside only ratcheted his nerves up a thousand times. It made him realize this summons must not be good.

Trying to remain calm, Edward greeted Jane with a kiss on the cheek. "Dear sister, how are you?"

Jane smiled sweetly and took her brother's arm. They walked side-by-side into the palace, and she said, "I am wonderful. You're looking overworked and overburdened. I worry for you. But never mind that. Things will be changing soon enough."

Edward inclined his head toward her, wondering, "What do you mean?"

Jane offered no explanation. She only smiled and acknowledged the people passing them. But her brother took notice of this silence as well as her smile. Dollie wears the same smile when she's up to no good. "Janie, what have you done? What kind of changes are being made," he questioned.

She patted his arm in that patronizing sisterly way. The duo stopped before the King's presence chamber, where they were announced. Inside the room, Henry rushed to greet Edward and his wife. He pulled his brother-in-law into a hug and declared, "Edward! So glad you could make it."

Edward wanted to roll his eyes as if he could say no to the King's summons. It was a torturous welcome because Henry drug it out with drinks, food, and idle chit-chat. Of all the things the Viscount loathes, it's small talk. He mainly prefers excellent conversation about spiritual and intellectual matters. He could care less about "what's up."

So he sat there like a good noble, listening, nodding, and joining in when necessary.

After the banal talk came to an unremarkable end with His Majesty disclosing that some Howard man impregnated a wench from up north (as if Edward cares), the real dialogue began. Henry gave his brother-in-law another brandy and stated, "I have summoned you here on an important matter. It's a matter of detrimental consequences."

Edward's insides cringed, but he tried to keep his face neutral. He hopes he's wearing a slight smile and not that constipated look Dollie is always scolding him for. Detrimental consequences could mean anything from collecting back taxes to paying off a woman to stay quiet about an affair with the King. Although, for Jane's sake, he hopes that's not it, especially with her in the room. "How may I be of service," he asked.

Henry stood with his hands behind his back and began talking. "So glad you asked that question. It has come to my attention that you are without a wife and require one. A man of your status should be married and settled."

Having taken a sip of brandy, Edward sputtered. He had to wipe his mouth. Jane saw and chuckled behind her hand. Ignoring his sister, the Viscount could not believe his ears. He had to clarify. "Your Majesty, would you please repeat that? I think I had a moment of mild delirium. I thought you said I needed a wife."

Henry came around and clapped his friend on the shoulder. "Right you are. I did say that. Seymour, you need a wife, and I have the perfect candidate for you. Now brace yourself; this may come as a shock," the King told him.

Nothing could be more surprising than this conversation unless Cromwell were to waltz into the room carrying a piglet for a baby. Regardless, Edward fortified his feelings and readied himself to hear who His Majesty thinks he should marry. It's most likely some old spinster two legs to the grave. On the other hand, even that would be better than his last wife.

Although no one could have prepared him for hearing the words, "My daughter Mary would be perfect for you."

Just like that, Edward Seymour practically choked on brandy. His whole world became upended. Those words changed the road he had set himself on. Jane rushed to his aid and began hitting his back. Coughing and holding up a hand, the Viscount collected himself. He implored the King, "I'm sorry, but I don't think I heard you correctly. You can't possibly mean your daughter Mary, the Princess? She's your daughter- a daughter of the King. I am a Viscount and older than her."

Henry sat down and waved him off with his hand as if he were waving off the servants. "Edward, you worry too much. Yes, my daughter Mary. She's of marriageable age and needs a husband, someone to take her in hand. Plus, it would lessen my finances, and I wouldn't have to worry if she's plotting behind my back. Nor would I have to concern myself with her safety from the snakes in the kingdom."

Still, unbelieving this conversation, Edward sat there stunned. But he was also feeling a bit miffed. Of all the reasons to marry, lessening His Majesty's finances is the last on his list. Henry continued speaking. "Now you make the point you're a lowly Viscount. True. You are. But I've thought of that already when I knew you would be the only man I entrust my daughter. A decree declaring you the Earl of Hertford and the Duke of Somerset is sitting in a folder on my writing desk. What do you think of that?"

Edward does not know what to say or how to say it. The right words fail to come to mind. And suddenly, he fears a wrong move forward, a mistake that cannot be undone once made. Instead, all Edward could think of was, "I'm amazed."

Henry boasted, "Yes! I am amazing!" He rose from the head of the table and retrieved the folder on his desk. Passing it to Seymour, the King announced, "Mary has been summoned to your estate and was briefed on her pending marriage. You will marry in two days. Congratulations on being named a Duke and joining the ranks of married men again. Let's celebrate. A feast is in order!"

With that, Henry exited the room to call for an honorific banquet on behalf of Edward. It left the two siblings alone. Jane tugged at the sleeve of her dress and stared at her brother. She remarked, "Edward, say something."

The new Duke huffed out a breath and told her, "Say something? What can I say that hasn't already been said? I'm a Duke who's only been given the title to be able to marry the King's daughter. I'm marrying the King's daughter, and you want me to say something."

The Queen spoke for him; perhaps it was the wrong time to say it, but she said it anyway. "Brother, you can't control the direction of your life any more than you can stop the waves from moving in the ocean. All you can do is hold on for the ride."

Edward's mouth dropped to his chest. "I cannot believe you said that knowing the hand you played in this mockery," he exclaimed.

But Jane sat there thinking about her brother because sometimes that's all she does- think and worry about him. For the whole of their lives, he'd been like one of the oak trees on this property. Tall, sturdy, and dependable, with roots that go down deep. And for the last two years, heartache and solitude have become his shadow. In other words, Edward is the image of a man who threw too much of his life away in work and duty. He's lucky ever to get any of it back.

It was with a sigh that Jane spoke again. "Edward, there are always changes going on in the world. Like with the changing seasons, sometimes it's invisible and underground. But then there are those times it's cataclysmic. The trick is to find your balance in the midst of it."

She knew she had said the right thing when her brother's eyes met hers. The Queen kept speaking. "You are at one of those life-changing moments. I realize something inside you broke when Catherine did what she did, but life goes on, Ned. You've grown so comfortable with feeling forsaken that you're afraid of what will happen if you aren't. Opening yourself up frightens the very life out of you. You can't let the past define you. If you get hurt, pick yourself up, dust your feelings off, and try again."

Before Jane grew quiet, she reminded him, "Feed your faith, not your fears."

Edward used the back of his hand to wipe at his eyes. Any beginning is scary, but one that's chosen for you is downright terrifying. Yet, here he is at the start of one. So now, the only thing to do is give hope a chance. But, "Please tell me Princess Mary isn't some ugly haggard creature. Not that it would matter because I would still have to marry her. It would be nice to spend my life with someone appealing this time around."

Jane smiled brightly and divulged, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But I think you'll find yourself happier this time."

Closing his eyes for a moment, Edward hoped that to be so. His church bishop told him more than once rough roads often lead to beautiful destinations. That is his life story, although he has no idea where this beautiful destination lies. At this point in life, the only attractive destination is a cabin in the woods with all his books. But then, what good would it do to set the world on fire if he had to watch the glow alone?