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That has to be ADHERE
A ‘puff’ is an AD and HERE as a self reference to 8d.
Definition is ‘1across’ which therefore has to be BOND as a synonym for ADHERE.

Thanks, Xerxes. Back to bond!
I no longer have the crossword, but had adhere for 8 down.
Chambers Crossword Dictionary gives ad for puff, and I assumed that " at 8 down" was here.
None the wiser!

…”old lady” is a term for wife, and bond may refer to “the bond of marriage”, so is it conceivable you might refer to your wife as your bond? A bit of a stretch perhaps.

Interesting that burd is an obsolete word for lady

Tha published answer is " bond".
Thanks to all who contributed.

Thanks for the update, Mildred!