Maiden held assistant (4)
I believe the answer is:
aide
'assistant' is the definition.
(aide is a kind of assistant)
'maiden held' is the wordplay.
'held' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'AIDE' is hidden in the letters of 'maiden'.
(Other definitions for aide that I've seen before include "Personal assistant in the military" , "Helper" , "one helping" , "someone in assistance" , "Leader's assistant" .)