Crossword Genius

Peer at rich bloke's lover (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nobleman

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'peer' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'at rich bloke's lover' is the wordplay.
'at' says to put letters next to each other.
'rich bloke' becomes 'nob' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'lover' becomes 'leman' (I've seen this before).
'nob' put next to 'leman' is 'NOBLEMAN'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for nobleman that I've seen before include "Male aristocrat" , "Titled person" , "I have a title" , "Member of the aristocracy" , "count, perhaps" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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