Page 13

CHAPTER 12

A chill October mist had settled over London, transforming the familiar streets into something from a Gothic novel. Through The Red Lion’s ancient windows, pedestrians appeared as ethereal silhouettes. The weather had kept most customers home today, leaving the pub quieter than usual—except for Will, who seemed particularly restless, making the temperature drop in odd patches throughout the building.

The small brass bell above the door jangled unexpectedly. Tessa turned with a welcoming smile, expecting a customer seeking shelter from the fog, and instead found herself facing a uniformed building inspector whose expression suggested this was definitely not a social call.

“Ms. Lawson?” he said, approaching the bar with a clipboard thick with official forms. “Inspector Davies, Building Standards Authority. I’m here regarding your heritage listing application.”

Tessa’s pulse quickened. “Of course, Inspector. How can I help you?”

“I’ve conducted a preliminary assessment of the exterior structure,” Inspector Davies replied, consulting his clipboard with bureaucratic precision. “However, I have significant concerns about compliance with current safety regulations. The recent archaeological disturbance in the cellar area raises questions about structural integrity that must be addressed before heritage status can be approved.”

“What kind of concerns?” Tessa asked, fighting to keep her voice steady.

Inspector Davies flipped through several pages. “Potential foundation instability, inadequate emergency exits, possible electrical code violations dating back decades. Without full compliance certification, I’m required to recommend temporary closure until a comprehensive safety assessment can be completed.”

Tessa felt her heart sink. After everything she’d been through, a bureaucratic safety review could destroy her heritage application—and her business.

“How long would that take?” she managed to ask.

“Several weeks at minimum for the full assessment. Potentially months if we discover violations requiring remediation.”

The bell chimed again with perfect timing. Sebastian walked in, shaking droplets of mist from his expensive coat. He paused just inside the entrance, his sharp gaze quickly assessing the scene—and the temperature drop that had accompanied his arrival.

“Inspector,” Sebastian said with a polite nod, moving to stand beside Tessa at the bar. “Is there some sort of problem I can help resolve?”

Tessa experienced a surprising rush of relief at his presence, though she wasn’t entirely sure why. Surely a property developer would side with building regulations over her interests.

“Inspector Davies has concerns about the building’s safety compliance for the heritage application,” she explained, waiting for Sebastian to see an opportunity and make things worse for her.

Instead, Sebastian’s expression grew focused and professional. “What specific regulations are we discussing?” he asked Davies. “I have extensive experience with heritage building compliance—it’s a specialty of mine in development work.”

Tessa blinked in surprise. He was offering to help?

Inspector Davies consulted his clipboard. “Foundation stability following the archaeological excavation, emergency egress compliance, electrical systems dating to the 1960s?—“

“All addressable issues,” Sebastian interrupted smoothly, pulling out his phone. “I can put you in touch with certified heritage specialists who handle exactly these kinds of assessments. We’ve worked with them on multiple listed building projects.” He paused, glancing at Tessa with something that might have been amusement. “Though I have to say, this is probably the first time I’ve argued for keeping a building open instead of finding reasons to close it. My board would be horrified.”

The self-deprecating comment caught Tessa completely off guard. Was he actually...making jokes about helping her?

“The Red Lion represents a site of genuine historical significance,” Sebastian continued, his voice carrying conviction as he addressed the inspector. “These compliance issues are standard for any heritage application—nothing that can’t be properly documented and resolved through appropriate channels.”

Working together, they presented a united front that seemed to catch Inspector Davies off guard. Sebastian’s expertise with heritage building codes proved invaluable, while Tessa provided passionate details about the pub’s historical importance. Their voices complemented each other perfectly—professional knowledge and personal conviction working in harmony.

After twenty minutes of patient advocacy, the inspector finally began to relent. “I suppose the cellar excavation site should be examined in detail,” he conceded. “If the structural integrity appears sound and you can provide documentation of compliance plans, I might be able to approve the heritage application pending completion of the safety updates.”

“Of course,” Tessa agreed immediately, relief flooding through her. “We can show you exactly how the archaeological work was conducted.”

As they descended to the cellar, Sebastian leaned close enough to murmur, “I’m supposed to be looking for ways to shut you down, not helping you stay open. I’m terrible at corporate villainy.”

The comment made Tessa’s lips twitch despite her nerves. This wasn’t the Sebastian she’d expected at all.

They led Inspector Davies to the hidden chamber, where Tessa explained how the concealed room had been discovered and carefully excavated. “Based on the architectural evidence, we believe it was originally a storage room that became accidentally sealed during wartime repairs.”

Inspector Davies examined the space methodically, Sebastian pointing out relevant structural details that demonstrated the building’s sound condition. After nearly thirty minutes, the inspector seemed satisfied.

“The excavation appears to have been conducted properly,” he admitted. “With appropriate documentation of your compliance plan, I can approve the heritage listing pending completion of the safety updates.”

Relief swept through Tessa. “So the pub can remain open during the upgrade process?”

“I see no reason for closure, provided you begin addressing the compliance issues within thirty days,” Inspector Davies confirmed. “I need to complete my exterior assessment and file my report. I’ll return within the hour with the preliminary approval paperwork.”

As he headed upstairs, Tessa turned to Sebastian with genuine amazement.

“I can’t believe you just helped me,” she said, studying his face. “I was sure you’d see this as an opportunity to make things more difficult.”

Sebastian’s expression was rueful. “So was I, honestly. This is definitely not in the corporate playbook.” He paused, then added with dry humor, “My father would say this is karmic justice for helping the competition.”

“Thank you,” Tessa said, meaning it more than she’d expected to. “I didn’t think...”

“That I’d choose your interests over mine?” Sebastian finished gently. “Neither did I, until it happened.”

The admission hung between them as they moved toward the hidden chamber. Sebastian ducked to navigate through the opening while Tessa followed with her flashlight, the temperature noticeably dropping as they entered Will’s space.

“It’s strange how real he’s become to me,” Sebastian said quietly. “Not just a historical curiosity, but an actual person whose story matters.”

A tremendous crash interrupted his reflection, followed by splintering wood and cascading debris. They rushed back toward the chamber opening, only to discover their path completely blocked. The ancient shelving unit had collapsed catastrophically, sending bottles, wooden beams, and chunks of masonry tumbling across the threshold.

The temperature plummeted so dramatically that their breath became visible in sudden, sharp clouds.

“Inspector Davies?” Tessa called out, alarm creeping into her voice.

No response came from beyond the blockage, just the settling sounds of debris and an arctic chill that seemed to wrap around them like invisible arms.

“Well,” Sebastian said, examining their impromptu prison with remarkable calm, “this is ironic. I spend my career acquiring properties, and now I’m literally trapped in one I can’t have.” He paused, glancing around at the suddenly frigid air. “Though I’m beginning to suspect we’ve been outmaneuvered by a ghost.”

Tessa followed his gaze, realization dawning. “Will, did you just...?” she asked the empty air.

The temperature dropped another few degrees, as if in answer.

“Are you suggesting our ghost has become a matchmaker?” Sebastian asked, and despite their predicament, there was amusement in his voice.

Despite their predicament, Tessa found herself almost smiling at his self-deprecating humor.

They tried shifting the debris, but the collapsed structure was completely wedged in place. Tessa’s phone showed weak signal underground, and her attempts to reach help went unanswered. Sebastian’s phone was completely dead.

“The inspector went to finish his exterior assessment,” Tessa said, sending another text to Harry. “With any luck, someone will notice we’re missing.”

In the dim glow from her phone screen, she noticed Sebastian’s posture changing. His breathing quickened, his usual composure slipping, and one hand braced against the cold stone wall.

“Sebastian?” she asked softly. “Are you all right?”

He attempted a nod, but the movement was tight. “I’m fine,” he managed, though his voice was strained. “Just...not particularly fond of small, enclosed spaces.”

Understanding dawned. “You’re claustrophobic.”

The faint sheen of perspiration on his forehead confirmed her assessment. Without hesitation, Tessa stepped closer and gently took his hand.

“Just breathe with me,” she whispered, guiding him through a steady rhythm. “Focus on my voice, not the walls.”

In the dimness, his gaze found hers, and for the first time, she saw something raw and unguarded beneath the polished surface. The confident property developer was gone; in his place stood a man grappling with a fear that reason couldn’t quiet.

Gradually, his breathing matched hers. The tension in his shoulders began to ease, though he didn’t let go of her hand.

She half-expected him to pull away, to retreat behind that smooth, professional exterior as if nothing had happened. But he stayed close, watching her with a tentative look that made her chest tighten.

Tessa gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. “Better?”

He nodded, his voice rough. “I’m sorry. Not exactly my most dignified moment.”

“Everyone’s afraid of something,” she replied gently. “Besides, after what you did upstairs—helping me instead of yourself—I think your dignity is intact.”

The reminder of his unexpected support seemed to steady him further. They settled with their backs against the wall, hands still joined, the supernatural chill making their breath form pale clouds.

“Is it just me,” Sebastian said after a moment, “or does Will seem very invested in our conversation? It’s gotten considerably colder since we sat down.”

Tessa glanced around the chamber, noting how the arctic air seemed to hover around them like a protective cocoon. “He’s a romantic,” she said with a small smile. “Apparently even dead men want a happy ending.”

“My father would be appalled,” Sebastian said after several minutes. “Losing composure, showing weakness, helping the competition—none of it fits the Westfield image.”

“Was he always so demanding?” Tessa asked, genuinely curious about this man who kept surprising her.

“Relentlessly. Excellence was the basic expectation, not something to celebrate.” His thumb began tracing light patterns across her knuckles. “My greatest fear isn’t small spaces, really. It’s becoming exactly like him—successful but hollow. A man who built an empire but died completely alone.”

His honesty made her heart ache for the boy who’d grown up under such pressure.

“What about you?” Sebastian asked. “What genuinely terrifies you?”

Tessa hesitated, then decided to match his vulnerability. “Trusting my heart again. My fiancé left three weeks before our wedding—for my maid of honor.” She managed a dry laugh. “It’s why I threw myself into saving this pub. It gave me purpose when everything else fell apart.”

“I’m so sorry,” Sebastian said quietly. “That’s incredibly cruel.”

“I suppose I’m afraid of believing in something—or someone—that turns out to be an illusion,” she admitted.

The silence that followed was thick with understanding, the kind that didn’t need to be filled with words. Tessa found herself leaning into Sebastian’s shoulder, drawn to the quiet strength in him, the warmth of his presence. His coat had cooled from the October air, but beneath the wool she could feel the steady heat of his skin, a grounding contrast to the supernatural chill lingering at the edges of the room.

When he gently rested his head against hers, her breath caught. Her pulse thudded in her throat, her heart aching in that terrifying, wonderful way it did when something real was finally breaking through the walls she’d spent years pretending you didn’t have.

After what felt like forever, his voice reached her—low and rough, like he was afraid to say it too loud.

“I’ve tried so hard to stay focused on business objectives,” he said. “But I’ve been unforgivably tempted by you since the moment we first met.”

Tessa’s heart stuttered. Her breath hitched, her skin tingling where their bodies touched. The words weren’t just flattering—they were disarming, honest in a way that bypassed all her defenses. She’d watched this man resist emotion with the same precision he used to analyze structural integrity, and now he was laying his vulnerability at her feet.

The supernatural chill around them seemed to soften, like even Will’s ghost was holding its breath—or perhaps offering approval.

And suddenly, nothing about this moment felt accidental.

Before she could respond, her phone buzzed insistently.

The text was from Oliver: Harry’s phone died and Daphne left hers with him. Alice is having contractions—might be false labor, but we can’t reach him. Are you with him?

Concern for their friends took precedence. She sent another text, hoping it would get through, then showed Sebastian the message.

“We need to get out of here,” she said, rising to examine the blockage again.

Together they searched for escape routes, Sebastian draping his coat over both their shoulders against the cold. The temperature seemed to be maintaining its arctic level, as if Will was determined to keep them exactly where they were.

“At least someone thinks we belong together,” Tessa murmured, glancing around at the persistently frigid air.

Sebastian followed her gaze and shook his head with rueful amusement. “I’ve been outmaneuvered by a ghost. That’s definitely a first.”

Voices came from beyond the rubble—muffled but reassuringly nearby.

“Hello?” Tessa called out. “We’re trapped in here!”

“Tessa?” Oliver’s voice came back, wonderfully familiar. “What happened? The cellar door was locked.”

“The shelving unit collapsed,” Tessa explained, relief flooding through her. “Is Harry with you?”

“Just arrived,” came Harry’s distinctive brogue. “Got your message. Oliver was already here looking for you both. Hang tight—we’ll have you out in a moment.”

As rescue approached, Tessa became acutely aware of everything that had been said between them.

“Sebastian,” she began.

He met her gaze directly, something hopeful flickering in his gray eyes. “I meant what I said,” he told her softly. “Every single word.”

Before she could respond, the debris began to shift as their rescuers worked. Light spilled into the chamber, banishing shadows and breaking the intimate spell.

But something fundamental between them remained—quiet, certain, and no longer afraid to be acknowledged in daylight.