Okay, I "Added" the 28 "rtf" files, no problem. I then converted them to epubs, again, no problem.
Then I noticed that all 28 books remained as "rtf" files AND 28 "epub" files but only 28 files showed under the author. Under the circumstances I would have expected 56 files under the Author? Unless they are recognised as duplicates?
Anyway, carrying on....
I then went into plugins and found and installed epub merge.
Selected the 28 epubs and ran the merge and delete.
Re-titled and removed the series indicator....
Very elegant solution, thank you.