Only word in Chambers that fits is EREPSIN, which bears absolutely no relevance to the clue that I can see. SIN is old word for pity and I looked at a 4-letter word for hireling (_ E R _) reversed in front of SIN, but have found nothing. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.
Thanks both for a speedy reply. I did a dictionary hunt looking for a 7-letter word. Looking back now I see CREMSIN is under CREMOSIN and bypassed it! Must slow down in future.
Thanks again.