Housekeeper fumed about pervasive smell (7)
I believe the answer is:
perfume
'pervasive smell' is the definition.
'perfume' can be an answer for 'smell' (perfume is a kind of smell). I'm not sure about the 'pervasive' bit.
'housekeeper fumed about' is the wordplay.
'about' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (the clue goes around or about the answer).
'PERFUME' can be found hidden inside 'housekeeper fumed'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for perfume that I've seen before include "sweet-smelling liquid" , "Pleasant smell" , "Fragrance, scent" , "What's pleasant-smelling" , "Fragrant toiletry" .)