Servants eschewing foxtrot fraternise improperly (9)
I believe the answer is:
retainers
'servants' is the definition.
(I know this)
'eschewing foxtrot fraternise improperly' is the wordplay.
'eschewing' is a deletion indicator.
'foxtrot' becomes 'f' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'improperly' is an anagram indicator (I've seen this in other clues).
'fraternise' with 'f' removed is 'raternise'.
'raternise' anagrammed gives 'RETAINERS'.
(Other definitions for retainers that I've seen before include "Family servants" , "Money deposits or servants to nobility" , "Financial inducements" .)