**Chapter 5: A Night at The Red Lion**

The air was thick with the smell of ale and roasting meat as Jasmine took her seat beside Hailey, her eyes never leaving Lord Ravenswood's face. He was a tall, imposing figure with piercing blue eyes that seemed to bore into her very soul. Hailey's grip on her arm tightened, and Jasmine felt a jolt of warning. "Please, Lord Ravenswood, have a seat," Hailey said, her voice light and carefree. "I've brought Jasmine to join us tonight." Lord Ravenswood's eyes flicked to Hailey, and for a moment, Jasmine thought she saw a flash of annoyance. But it was quickly replaced by a charming smile. "Delighted," he said, taking his seat. The tavern keeper appeared, a stout man with a bushy beard, and took their order. Hailey opted for a glass of wine, while Lord Ravenswood requested a mug of ale. Jasmine asked for water, which earned her a raised eyebrow from Hailey. As they waited for their drinks to arrive, the conversation turned to innocuous topics: the weather, the state of the roads, and the latest gossip from the castle. But Jasmine's instincts were on high alert, and she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this gathering than met the eye. As they sipped their drinks, Lord Ravenswood turned to Jasmine, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, tell me, Jasmine, what do you think of the castle so far?" Jasmine hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "It's... impressive," she said finally. "The history, the architecture... it's all so fascinating." Lord Ravenswood nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "Yes, it's a remarkable place. And I'm sure Hailey has been showing you around, making sure you feel welcome?" Hailey's grip on Jasmine's arm tightened, and she felt a warning signal. "Oh, yes," Jasmine said quickly. "Hailey has been a wonderful hostess. I don't know what I would have done without her." The conversation continued, but Jasmine's senses were on high alert. She could feel the tension beneath the surface, the unspoken words and hidden agendas. And then, just as she thought things were becoming more relaxed, Hailey dropped a bombshell. "I have a proposition for you, Lord Ravenswood," she said, her voice low and conspiratorial. "One that I think you'll find... intriguing." Jasmine's heart skipped a beat as she turned to Hailey, her eyes wide with alarm. What was Hailey planning? And what did Lord Ravenswood have to do with it? The game was afoot, and Jasmine was about to discover that the stakes were much higher than she had ever imagined.