“You will. I had the tape recorder on. I’ll give you the cassette before you leave so you can listen to it again.”
“Super,” Lilly said, taking another sip of wine.
Claude leaned towards her as he spoke, “I haven’t had a chance to meet Jolene, the famous Witch Queen of New Orleans. Do you get along well with her?”
Lilly laughed, “I haven’t heard her called the Witch Queen, but the title fits. Jolene is knowledgable, powerful, kind, ethical and a great teacher. I feel blessed to be a part of her coven.”
Claude nodded. “I hope you will have time to take part in some of my rituals. I know my process would be good for you.”
Lilly took a deep breath. “I don’t know what to say. Until recently I knew nothing of rituals or magic. I am part of Panthea’s coven. Is it okay to do ritual with someone outside of my coven? I’ve never thought of it.”
Claude smiled and took her hand, “Lilly, it is okay for you to do whatever makes you happy. I believe in the philosophy of Alistair Crowley, ‘Do what thou wilt, shall be the whole of the law.’ I like to say: Do what you want, do what you will, what gets you off will fill the bill.”
Lilly laughed, “I feel like I’ve been trying to obey the rules all my life. In retrospect, it seems it has gotten me nowhere. Possibly you are right, I should do what feels good.”
Claude laughed and squeezed her hand, “I knew I was going to like you.”
After Regina served a three course gourmet dinner which they ate from platinum rimmed china plates on the coffin table, she opened a bottle of champagne. “Okay, its time to partake of my favorite beverage. This is a night for celebration. I have a new friend and we all survived our first Mardi Gras.” She poured champagne for each of them and lifted her glass in a toast, “To Lilly, may your power and beauty increase with every passing day.”
Lilly lifted her glass and took a sip. “Wow, this is delicious. I’ve never had champagne. Until a few days ago I had never had a glass of good wine. I’ve been a beer drinker. However, this champagne makes me want to change my mind.”
Claude spoke in a mock serious voice, “Well, Miss Lilly, hopefully you have the pocketbook to afford a champagne lifestyle. Regina has the good fortune to be born in the lap of luxury. She is able to indulge her expensive tastes.”
Regina poured herself another glass of Pierre Jouet. “Pay no attention to him, Lilly. He is jealous because I have a small income from my family and he has none. The money is my parent’s way of saying, ‘Don’t bother us.’ I’m happy to oblige.”
Claude laughed, “How astute of you to observe my minor fit of jealousy, Regina. I have had to scrimp and save and work since I was thirteen. I am delighted to have the good fortune of going into business with someone with bread to spare.”
Regina’s looked stricken by Claude’s words. “I may have an income, but you know I didn’t have and still don’t have, a family. My parents were traveling the world, living in grand hotels, wheeling and dealing the Valraven fortune. I have no idea why they had a child. I imagine it was a mistake.”
Claude put his arm around Regina’s shoulder and pulled her into a hug. “You have a family now and the longer you live in the Big Easy the larger your family of friends will grow.”
Regina, lingered in Claude’s embrace. Lilly thought she saw her flick a tear from her cheek with the back of her hand. She stood and joined Claude in a group hug around Regina, “I want to be a part of your family. We can be sisters,” she said genuinely.
A weak smile flitted across Regina’s face as she pulled away from the supporting arms of Claude and Lilly. She poured everyone another glass of champagne and sat on the red velvet couch.
Her sadness was soon replaced by a bright smile as she turned to Lilly, “This was your first carnival, right?” Lilly nodded. “Did you costume for Mardi Gras day?”
Lilly smiled remembering her Faery costume and Roland as the attentive musketeer. “Yes, I was a Faery. Madeline did a great job of painting my face. It was the first time I’ve costumed since I was a kid. Did you go out into the madness?”
“Of course,” Regina replied. “I’ve never seen anything like it. Some of the costumes were more elaborate than anything I’ve ever dreamed of. Walking through the streets I felt I was a part of a moving, breathing work of art.”
“Did you costume?” Lilly asked.
“Yes, I was a witch and Claude was a sorcerer. It was the most fun I’ve had in ages. The costumed people in the streets played a part in the great comedy, drama of the day. I saw the soul of New Orleans, crazy, colorful and unselfconscious.”
Lilly laughed, “You have summed it up perfectly! Were you on Frenchman Street at the end of the day?”
Regina looked puzzled. “No, I was in the Quarter where everything was happening? Why do you ask?”
Lilly proceeded to tell Regina about the Krewe of Kosmic Debris and the Bacchanalian behavior on Frenchman St. “You and Claude have to check it out next year.”
Chapter 29
An Unexpected Oath
Lilly noticed gray light filtering through the lace curtains of the living room. Fuzzy from the champagne, she stood on unsteady feet. “I better get home.”
Claude stood up with her. “Okay, if you must go, let me walk you back to your apartment. I don’t feel good about you walking through the Quarter alone.”
“Thanks Claude.”
Regina hugged her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “You must come back soon and often.”
“I will, I promise,” Lilly said as Claude opened the door and lead her downstairs.
The chilly evening air had Lilly turning up
