Crossword Genius

Keep that quiet aloofness (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

preserve

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'keep that quiet aloofness' is the definition.
'preserve' can be an answer for 'keep' (I've seen this before). I am not sure about the remainder of the definition.

'keep that quiet' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'keep' could be 'reserve' (reserving is a kind of keeping) and 'reserve' is found in the answer.
'quiet' could be 'p' (music symbol for 'piano', ie soft or quiet) and 'p' is found in the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for preserve that I've seen before include "speciality" , "Keep from decay in perverse way" , "Look after" , "Keep safe or in unchanged condition" , "defend" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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