Perfume starts a romantic interlude (5)

I believe the answer is:

aroma

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'perfume starts' is the definition.
'aroma' can be an answer for 'perfume' (I've seen this before). I am not sure about the 'starts' bit.

'a romantic interlude' is the wordplay.
'romantic interlude' becomes 'roma' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'a'+'roma'='AROMA'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for aroma that I've seen before include "particular charm" , "Distinctive smell" , "Food fragrance" , "Subtle quality" , "Test of knowledge" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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