Summer 1871–1873: a new family, high society and Paris in the spring

In part two of the Anna Project, Anna’s time working as governess for the Baiss family was drawing to a close. We now join her as she looks for a new position and is employed by the FitzRoy family in Hampshire. The FitzRoys have many aristocratic connections and Anna is clearly impressed by the status of her new family.

Despite enjoying the opportunity for close encounters with the upper class, Anna evidently also feels the inherent awkwardness of her position where she is above the servants in status but not equal in rank with her employers.

Only 18 months later, it is time for Anna to move on yet again: her pupils are to be presented at Court as part of their introduction to Society, but prior to leaving the FitzRoys, Anna has the opportunity to visit Paris, recovering from the recent devastation of the Franco–Prussian war and the violent ending of the Paris Commune, but still beautiful.

Read on for part three of The Anna Project. If you would like some background details on Anna, you can find them on my LinkedIn page.