Look around very quietly for the pepper (4)
I believe the answer is:
peer
'look' is the definition.
(to peer at something is to look at it)
'very quietly for the pepper' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'quietly' could be 'p' (p for piano and quiet) and 'p' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'eer' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'around' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for peer that I've seen before include "One's equal" , "Aristocrat" , "count, perhaps" , "Look closely at titled man?" , "unelected politician" .)