Wow, just so much in this chapter. Granger has meet the Tsarevich, who history agrees okayed the overthrow of his father, if not his actual death. I wonder if he will turn him into another admirer; wouldn't want Prinny to get upset however. Granger is always able to present just the perfect front for any occasion. He seems to understand what both those above and below him in the social order needs from him in any situation.
I find the request for conversion to the Orthodox faith strange. Tsar Paul I of Russia was never noted to be a particularly religious man. He was much more interested in reforming the army into a Prussian style force; and weakening the the great Princes or the Empire by reforming the rights of the serfs and freemen. Neither made him overtly popular with either the army or the nobility.
I swear I can feel the cold in the story as you describe what is going on; your ability to allow the reader to use all of your senses to appreciate and enjoy your story is remarkable. Can't wait to see what happens next...