Venerable attendant (8)
I believe the answer is:
retainer
'venerable attendant' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for retainer that I've seen before include "reduced rent" , "Fee paid to book professional services" , "A money deposit or an old servant" , "Fee paid to book the services of someone" , "Family servant of long standing - fee charged in advance" .)