In a deft manner (8)
I believe the answer is:
adroitly
'in a deft manner' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for adroitly that I've seen before include "Cleverly, skilfully" , "With skill - dilatory (anag)" , "With deftness" , "With skill and subtlety" , "With dexterity" .)