Sort of account for nervous anticipation (8)
I believe the answer is:
suspense
I believe this is a double definition.
'sort of account' is the first definition.
'nervous anticipation' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)
'for' is the link.
(Other definitions for suspense that I've seen before include "Hitchcock's forte" , "Pre-climactic excitement" , "Nervous anticipation" , "State of apprehension about what's going to happen" , "State of uncertainty or excitement" .)