Heavies regularly protecting first lady (3)

I believe the answer is:

eve

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'first lady' is the definition.
(Biblical first woman)

'heavies regularly' is the wordplay.
'regularly' means one should take alternating letters (regularly take one letter, leave next etc.).
The alternate letters of 'heavies' are 'EVE'.

'protecting' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. It may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for eve that I've seen before include "Day before a festival" , "Female" , "Day before; girl's name" , "Woman in a happy place" , "Girl" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times and The Guardian.

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