Aubrey reluctantly disengaged himself. ‘We have to move.’
‘Do we?’
‘Only if we want to win the war.’
‘Oh, very well then.’
Aubrey explained about the need to find the double shell crater he’d spied earlier. Then he had to detail his plan for Caroline. Carefully. Without leaving out anything, or covering up in obfuscation.
When he finished, she crossed her arms and studied him. ‘That is one of the more fanciful, flamboyant, outrageous schemes you’ve come up with.’
‘Ah ha.’
‘And probably the most heroic.’
‘It is?’ Aubrey felt the warmth of a blush creeping up from under his collar.
‘It’s one of the things I love about you, Aubrey. The extent of your imagination is only matched by your willingness to put yourself in harm’s way for the right cause.’
‘I do?’
‘That, and your penchant for two-word answers when you’re dazed.’
Dazed was a fair description. Aubrey was still lagging behind, trying to come to terms with what Caroline had said. ‘I don’t!’
‘And there you have it.’
Aubrey shook himself. ‘And here’s where you try to dissuade me from this course of action, correct? Where you try to tell me it’s too dangerous, too risky, something like that?’
‘I should say not. I wouldn’t think an expedition with you would be complete without an extremely hazardous situation.’ Caroline peeped over the lip of their shell hole. ‘I can see the best way. Follow me.’