Boy perhaps, embraced by maids a-milking (3)
I believe the answer is:
sam
'boy' is the definition.
(boy's name)
'embraced by maids a-milking' is the wordplay.
'embraced' indicates a hidden word.
'SAM' is hidden within 'by maids a milking'.
'perhaps' is the link.
(Other definitions for sam that I've seen before include "Casablanca piano player" , "together once" , "Uncle" , "Boy" .)