The large man’s hand moved to the curved butt of what appeared to be a pistol stuck into his thick leather belt as he bellowed, “Pray come oot, Yer Highness. We know ye’re hidin’ there. We can see ye, we can.”

So they know my title. Interesting. There was little profit in continuing to hide if the thieves knew where he was, and much profit to be had in facing them, so Max rose and stepped forward.

“Hold!” the giant barked. “Dinna come any closer.”

Max eyed his opponent narrowly. The brute was larger than any man he’d ever seen, his face broad, a red beard showing beneath the kerchief on his lower face. The man possessed an impossibly thick neck and had arms the size of most men’s thighs.

“I will speak with your leader.” Icy puffs of breath punctuated every word.

The man’s eyes narrowed. “Ye’ve an odd accent.”

“Do not pretend that surprises you. You know who I am, so you must also know I’m from Oxenburg.”

“I know many things, bu’ I’ve ne’er heard of this Oxenburg.”

“That’s quite all right. I only recently learned of Scotland, and I’m beginning to dislike it.”

The man’s brows snapped together. “If ye dinna like it, then ye can go home where ye belong.”

Another man snorted, this one a slim youth with flowing brown hair, his mocking blue eyes bold over the top of his mask. A jaunty but worn hat adorned his head, a scarlet cape swinging from his narrow shoulders. “A prince, eh? Lord Loudan is gettin’ fancy.”

They also know whose guests we are. How did they get such complete information?

As if aware of the slip, the large highwayman cut a warning glare at the second man, who shrugged, not the least remorseful.

Loud of mouth and brash of person are weaknesses, my young friend. The giant has the right of it. Max addressed the bolder highwayman. “You know I’m a guest of the earl’s.”

“Tha’ is the reason we’re here.” The highwayman’s voice dripped with barely contained fury. “We only bother the low scum as come to visit his lordship, the Earl of Louse.”

The giant hissed a warning, but the lad was roused and continued, “The earl has done naught bu’ thieve his whole life, and we’re here to see to it tha’ he stops.”

“If what you say is true—which I doubt...” Max paused to let that sink in, watching the lad stiffen in outrage. “... then look at you. You are no better than he: a low-life thief.”